On February 6, 2024, our Editor-in-Chief, Salihu Ayatullahi, and Managing Director, Adisa-Jaji Azeez, were arbitrarily detained by the Nigerian Police Force, Kwara State Command, at the behest of the Rector of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Engr. Abdul Jimoh.
In recent weeks, our newsroom has been publishing investigative reports exposing corruption and mismanagement at the state-owned Polytechnic.
Despite concerted efforts by the Rector to stop our publications—ranging from personal meetings to offers of enticement—we stood our ground, determined to publish all our investigative findings.
Following the failure of these attempts, the Rector resorted to leveraging state apparatus against us. Our journalists were invited and detained under harsh conditions by the Police’s anti-cultism and anti-kidnapping unit, despite a pending case for Fundamental Human Rights enforcement at the Federal High Court in Ilorin, where the police had been duly served notice.
These coercive measures were aimed at forcing us to issue a public apology and cease further publication of our findings—something they will NEVER EVER get from us as long as we have our FACTS, SOURCES, and EVIDENCE intact.
Our journalists were formally charged in a Magistrate court on February 7, 2024, after widespread protests against their unjust detention. Efforts by the Police and Rector to secure their remand in prison through an ex parte motion attached to their FIR was unsuccessful, and the court granted them bail under the most liberal terms.
IT IS CRUCIAL TO EMPHASIZE THAT DESPITE THESE ARBITRARY ACTIONS, OUR NEWSROOM REMAINS UNDETERRED AND COMMITTED TO THIS CAUSE. WE STAND READY TO DEFEND ALL OUR PUBLICATIONS, NOT ONLY THOSE CONCERNING KWARA STATE POLYTECHNIC, AT ANY PLACE AND AT ANY TIME.
While we will continue to pursue our case at the Federal High Court against the Police and the Rector for these unlawful actions, we have also directed our legal team to initiate another case against the Rector, PRO and management of the Polytechnic. We are fully prepared to support this with necessary evidence, documents, and sources.
MOVING FORWARD, WE WILL PROCEED WITH THE PUBLICATION OF THE THIRD LEG OF OUR REPORT IN THE COMING DAYS.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has stood by us during this period. Your support is deeply appreciated.
All that has happened only strengthens our determination to uphold journalistic integrity and ensure transparency in public office. We remain steadfast in our mission to uncover the truth and hold those in power accountable, undeterred by any attempts to silence or intimidate us.
SIGNED: MANAGEMENT, THE INFORMANT247
