Court restrains police, Gombe gov’t from arresting journalist, Hassan Kera

A High Court in Gombe State has stopped the state government and the police from arresting the publisher of Daylight Reporters, Dahiru Hassan – Kera, who was declared a ‘persona non grata’ by the government.

Google defines ‘persona non grata’ as an unacceptable or unwelcome person, also a diplomatic or consular officer who is not acceptable to the government or sovereign to whom he or she is accredited.

The Daylight Reporters is an online news medium in Gombe and the publisher has written a series of articles against the Gombe State Government and the governor, Inuwa Yahaya.

In his ruling on the case with suit no: GM/145M/2022, the judge, H.H Kerang, said the invitation and threats to arrest the publisher are a breach of the publisher’s fundamental rights.

He said the publisher has not committed any offence.

“The continued invitation and intimidation of the Applicant by the Officers/Agents of the 1st Respondent is likely an infringement of his Fundamental Rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“The Respondents are hereby perpetually restrained by themselves, agents, officers, servants, and/or privies acting on their behalf, from harassing, restricting the movement or freedom of expression, the press and violation of any of his Fundamental Rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in relating to the case in this application,” the judge said.

In his comment after the judgement, Mr Hassan – Kera said the threat to arrest him was “undemocratic” and a “breach of fundamental human rights as provided by the constitution.”

“It’s unfortunate that democratic government is engaging in arbitrary arrest and detention of its critics including journalists and social media influencers. This is an undemocratic and clear breach of human rights as provided in the constitution,” he said.

Gombe State Governor has declared the publisher a ‘persona non grata’ in the state after he published a series of reports criticising his administration.

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