A magistrate court in Bauchi has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Haruna Mohammed Salisu, publisher of WikkiTimes, following his report on alleged corruption by House of Representatives member Mansur Manu Soro. Salisu claims the warrant is an attempt to intimidate journalists.
A magistrate court in Bauchi State has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Haruna Mohammed Salisu, publisher of WikkiTimes, following his exposé on alleged corruption involving Mansur Manu Soro, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency. The court's decision stems from Salisu’s failure to appear for legal proceedings concerning claims that Soro diverted millions in fraudulent contracts through a business associate in Bauchi.
Initially, Soro had refrained from taking legal action against WikkiTimes, but he later pursued a lawsuit through his associate, Abubakar Abdullahi, who is linked to Sahel Global Desert Emergy Limited. The lawsuit alleges that the publication defamed Soro, damaging his reputation and personal life.
Salisu’s legal representative, Barrister Idris Safiyanu Gambo, contended that his clients were unaware of the lawsuit until they were served via substituted service, claiming no prior attempts were made to serve them properly. Gambo stated that Salisu has been out of the country and has kept the court informed of his situation.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, Salisu expressed his surprise at the court's decision and emphasized that he has always been committed to adhering to legal procedures. He highlighted growing hostility towards investigative journalism in Bauchi, asserting that WikkiTimes remains dedicated to holding power accountable through their reporting despite the challenges.
This incident reflects ongoing concerns about press freedom in Nigeria, as journalists continue to face intimidation and legal challenges for their work.
Source: Sahara Reporters
