Pix: Ibrahim Dan’uwa Rano

A Kano-based journalist, Ibrahim Dan’uwa Rano, has been detained by officers of the Zonal Police Headquarters, Kano, following a petition from Abdullahi Rogo, the embattled Director-General of Protocol to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, over alleged defamation.

Mr. Rogo, who is currently under investigation by both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for an alleged ₦6.5 billion fraud, accused the journalist of tarnishing his image through a satirical programme.

According to reports by Daily Nigeria, police officers stormed Mr. Rano’s office and whisked him away without presenting an arrest warrant. He was taken directly to the command headquarters for interrogation.

During questioning, the journalist was accused of defaming Mr. Rogo and operating an online television channel without a licence from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). Mr. Rano, however, reportedly explained that online media outlets are not legally required to obtain NBC licences.

Despite his explanation, he was allegedly ordered to be detained on the instructions of the embattled aide.

The controversy originated from an episode of Rano’s programme, “Imalu,” where he suggested that a “certain DG protocol” was collecting bribes to facilitate access to the governor. Although no specific names were mentioned, police reportedly demanded that the journalist “produce Imalu,” the fictional character from his show, before his release.

As of press time, the Kano Zonal Police Command had yet to issue an official statement regarding the journalist’s arrest or continued detention.