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Amnesty condemns four-year jail sentence for Kaduna journalist Farida Isiak
Amnesty International has condemned the arrest, detention and four-year prison sentence handed to 23-year-old journalist Farida Isiak in Kaduna State, describing the case as vindictive and an attempt to silence press freedom.
The organisation said the journalist’s arrest and subsequent sentencing were linked to her attempt to expose alleged police misconduct involving her parents.
Isiak, a reporter with Nagarta Radio in Kaduna, was reportedly arrested at about 10pm on Monday, October 20, by police officers under the command of the Divisional Police Officer of Mararaban Jos, Usman Adamu.
According to Amnesty International, the incident began with a disagreement between Isiak’s mother and a neighbour over a ₦100 change during a charcoal sale.
The organisation alleged that police officers initially arrested her mother and later detained her father when he went to seek her release, using their detention to compel the journalist to report to the police station.
When Isiak arrived, officers allegedly accused her of defamation over a Facebook post criticising their treatment of her parents.
Amnesty International said she deleted the post and apologised in an attempt to secure her parents’ release, but the police allegedly continued to detain her before taking her to a Sharia Court in Kawo.
The court subsequently sentenced her to four years in prison or a fine of ₦1.75 million on a defamation charge.
Describing the proceedings as a sham trial, Amnesty International said the court failed to address the alleged police misconduct that triggered the incident.
“The arrest, detention, and hasty sentencing of Farida Isiak are a flagrant abuse of power by the police and weaponisation of the judicial system to silence free speech and intimidate journalists,” the organisation said.
It added that detaining the journalist’s parents to compel her to surrender to the police was an unlawful tactic that violated the rule of law.
“Demanding accountability for police actions is a constitutional right,” Amnesty International said.
The human rights organisation called on the Kaduna State Police Command and Nigerian judicial authorities to secure Isiak’s immediate release, drop the charges against her and cancel the fine imposed by the court.
It also urged the Nigeria Police Force to launch a full and independent investigation into the conduct of the officers involved in the alleged unlawful detention of the journalist’s family.
Amnesty International further called on Nigerian authorities to stop using defamation charges and the judicial system to harass journalists and restrict press freedom.
The organisation warned that the case raises concerns about the protection of freedom of expression and the ability of journalists to hold public institutions accountable without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
Amnesty condemns four-year jail sentence for Kaduna journalist Farida Isiak
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The Renewed Hope Youth Engagement (RHYE), Plateau State Chapter, on Friday, November 13, 2026, held an educational empowerment programme in Jos, Plateau State, with the distribution of free laptops to deserving students across tertiary institutions in the state.
The initiative, held at Tamarald Event Centre, Jos, was organised in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the vision of Renewed Hope Youth Movement . It is aimed at promoting digital inclusion, strengthening educational opportunities and equipping young Nigerians with the technological resources needed to excel in today’s increasingly digital society.
The event featured the presence of the Grand Patron of the Renewed Hope Youth Engagement initiative, Barr. Seyi Tinubu, who was accompanied by the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande Wisdom.
Other notable dignitaries included the Plateau State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Prince Miaphen; the Plateau State Coordinator of the City Boy Movement, Prince David Daser; the State Coordinator of Renewed Hope Youth Engagement, Mr. Manji Wilson; alongside other government officials, youth leaders, political stakeholders and students.
500 LAPTOPS TARGETED, 50 STUDENTS BENEFIT IN FIRST PHASE
A major highlight of the programme was the announcement of plans to distribute 500 laptops to deserving tertiary institution students across Plateau State.
Under the first phase of the initiative, 50 students drawn from various institutions received brand-new laptops to support their academic activities and digital learning.
Among the institutions represented were the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State University (PLASU), Plateau State Polytechnic (PLAPOLY), College of Health Technology, Zawan, College of Health Technology, Pankshin, and other institutions.
According to the organisers, the beneficiaries were selected based on academic merit, particularly their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), through a process facilitated by their respective institutions.
The laptops are expected to enhance students’ access to digital learning resources, academic research, assignments, online educational platforms and the acquisition of essential technological skills.
SEYI TINUBU VISITS GOVERNOR MUTFWANG, BARKIN LADI MEDICAL OUTREACH
Beyond the educational empowerment programme, Barr. Seyi Tinubu’s visit to Plateau State also featured other engagements.
Prior to the event in Jos, he visited a free medical outreach organised by the City Boy Movement in Barkin Ladi, where residents benefited from healthcare services.
He also paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, at the Government House, Jos.
The organisers expressed appreciation to the Plateau State Government and the TIME IS NOW administration for their support and cooperation towards the successful hosting of the programme.
JOS ENTERTAINMENT STARS ADD COLOUR TO THE EVENT
The programme also featured entertainment and musical performances, making the occasion a celebration of youth, education and talent.
Popular Nigerian rapper Ice Prince Zamani, alongside Jos-based entertainers including Classic and Seemo Da Black Czar, thrilled guests and participants with live performances.
The entertainment segment added excitement to the gathering, bringing together education, youth engagement and the creative industry on one platform.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF YOUNG PEOPLE
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the organisers emphasised that the laptop distribution goes beyond the provision of electronic devices, describing it as an investment in the future of young Nigerians.
For the beneficiaries, the laptops represent valuable tools that will improve their learning experiences, expand access to educational opportunities, encourage digital innovation and prepare them for a technology-driven world.
The event which was well coordinated by Renewed Hope Youth Engagement further highlights the importance of youth-focused initiatives in promoting education, innovation, digital inclusion and sustainable development.
With a target of reaching 500 students, the initiative is expected to extend its impact to more deserving students across Plateau State as subsequent phases of the programme unfold.
The November 13 engagement marks another major youth-focused activity in Plateau State, bringing together government, youth organisations, educational institutions and the creative community in support of the development and empowerment of young people.
A political analyst, Sam Amadi, has said presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, cannot effectively run a typical Nigerian political organisation because of his minimalist political approach and reluctance to distribute money.
Amadi said Obi's style of politics was fundamentally different from Nigeria's prevailing political culture, where politicians expect financial rewards and other benefits from their political associations.
He argued that some politicians who left Obi's camp were partly driven by what they expected from him but did not get.
Speaking on Arise Television's Prime Time programme on Friday, Amadi said Nigeria's political environment was unstable, with politicians frequently moving between political platforms in pursuit of personal interests.
According to him, some politicians who left Obi's camp had approached him to explain their grievances.
Amadi said their complaints reflected a fundamental disagreement between Obi's political philosophy and the expectations of politicians operating within Nigeria's political system.
The former Director-General of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, maintained that Obi understood his limitations in managing the country's conventional political structure.
He also described Obi as a minimalist who prefers a less elaborate approach to politics, arguing that the former Anambra State governor would rather pursue a straightforward path to political success than engage in the extensive political mobilisation associated with conventional Nigerian politics.
Amadi said: "Peter Obi represents a different kind of politician. Everything about him is often also exaggerated.
"Atiku ran for election with him as vice. The first thing he did after the election was to jump.
"First, Nigeria has a political market that's unstable. Yes. Most of these guys who left, they've come to me, and I talk to them, and they bring issues of grievance. And I say to these guys, look, I've served as Senate president. I've served Jonathan. I disagree with these people, but it's part of it.
"There's a political career. These guys want to move on. Secondly, they also want to have some things Peter cannot offer. That's a deep dissonance between Peter and Nigerian politics. People forget that. Yes, he doesn't give money.
"So Peter is not capable; Peter cannot run a typical Nigerian political organization. He knows that.
"Again, Peter is a minimalist, but it's business. He likes to, if he can, just sneak through this. He doesn't have to open the whole place."
2027: Peter Obi can’t run typical Nigerian political organisation – Sam Amadi
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