N6.5bn fraud: Police arrest Kano journalist after petition from Gov Yusuf’s embattled aide

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

Mr. Rogo, who is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over an alleged ₦6.5 billion fraud, accused Mr. Rano of defamation of character.

Eyewitnesses said the journalist was picked up from his office without an arrest warrant and taken straight to the police command for questioning.

According to sources, Mr. Rano was interrogated over alleged defamation and for operating an online television platform purportedly without a licence from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The journalist reportedly explained that NBC regulations do not apply to online broadcasting, as website-based media platforms are not required to obtain such licences. Despite this clarification, he was allegedly detained on the orders of the protocol chief.

The arrest is believed to be linked to a recent episode of Mr. Rano’s programme, Imalu, where he made insinuations that “a certain DG protocol is collecting bribes to grant visitors access to his principal.” Although he did not name any official or the governor, the police reportedly demanded that he “produce Imalu,” the fictional character from the show, before his release.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kano Zonal Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the arrest or the journalist’s continued detention.