Amnesty International Demands Release Of Kaduna Journalist Farida Isiak After Four-Year Jail Sentence

Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of 23-year-old journalist Farida Isiak in Kaduna State, describing her arrest, detention and reported four-year prison sentence as an abuse of power and an attempt to suppress press freedom.

The organisation condemned the circumstances surrounding the case, alleging that the journalist's prosecution stemmed from her criticism of police officers over the treatment of her parents.

Isiak, a reporter with Nagarta Radio in Kaduna, was reportedly arrested at about 10 p.m. on Monday, October 20, after a dispute involving her mother and a neighbour over ₦100 change from a charcoal sale escalated into a police matter.

According to the account released by Amnesty International, police officers first took Isiak's mother into custody. Her father was subsequently detained when he went to seek her release, with the development allegedly used to compel the journalist to report at the police station.

Upon her arrival, Isiak was accused of defamation over a Facebook post in which she criticised the officers' handling of her parents' detention.

Amnesty International said the journalist deleted the post and tendered an apology in compliance with police demands, reportedly hoping that her parents would be released. However, she remained in custody and was subsequently taken before a Sharia Court in Kawo.

The court reportedly sentenced her to four years' imprisonment, with an option of paying a ₦1.75 million fine, on a defamation charge.

Amnesty International faulted the handling of the case, arguing that the proceedings failed to address the allegations of police misconduct that triggered the incident.

The organisation further maintained that using the detention of family members to compel a journalist to surrender raises serious concerns about the rule of law, the protection of fundamental rights and the safety of media professionals.

It warned that criminal proceedings over criticism of police conduct could create an atmosphere of fear among journalists and discourage public scrutiny of law enforcement agencies.

Amnesty International has therefore urged the Kaduna State Police Command and the relevant judicial authorities to secure Isiak's immediate release, withdraw the charges and cancel the financial penalty imposed on her.

It also called on the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a full and independent investigation into the alleged detention of Isiak's parents and the conduct of the officers involved.

The organisation stressed that Nigerian authorities must refrain from using defamation allegations and judicial processes to intimidate journalists or restrict legitimate expression.

The case has renewed concerns about the relationship between law enforcement, freedom of expression and the media's responsibility to hold public institutions accountable.

Newsmonger Note: The allegations and calls for action in this report are attributed to Amnesty International.