Amnesty International Condemns Four-Year Jail Sentence Against Kaduna Journalist

Amnesty International has condemned the arrest, detention and reported four-year prison sentence imposed on Farida Isiak, a 23-year-old journalist with Nagarta Radio in Kaduna State, describing the case as an alleged attempt to intimidate the journalist over her criticism of police conduct.

In a statement, the international human rights organisation called on the Kaduna State Police Command and relevant judicial authorities to secure Isiak’s release, withdraw the charges against her and cancel the reported ₦1.75 million fine imposed as an alternative to imprisonment.

According to Amnesty International, the incident began with a disagreement between Isiak’s mother and a neighbour over ₦100 in change during a charcoal sale.

The organisation alleged that police officers subsequently arrested Isiak’s mother and detained her father when he visited the police station to seek her release. The detentions were allegedly used to compel Isiak to report to the station.

Isiak reportedly arrived at the police station at about 10 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2026, where officers accused her of defamation over a Facebook post criticising their alleged treatment of her parents.

Amnesty International said the journalist deleted the post and apologised in response to police demands, hoping to secure her parents’ release. However, she was allegedly kept in custody and subsequently taken before a Sharia Court in Kawo, where she received a four-year prison sentence or an alternative fine of ₦1.75 million.

The organisation criticised the reported court proceedings, alleging that the case failed to address the circumstances surrounding the initial arrests and the conduct of the police officers involved.

Amnesty International described the incident as an abuse of power and warned against the use of defamation allegations and judicial proceedings to intimidate journalists or restrict freedom of expression.

It maintained that journalists and other citizens should be able to raise concerns about police conduct without facing unlawful detention or intimidation.

The organisation called for a full and independent investigation into the conduct of the officers involved, particularly the alleged detention of Isiak’s parents to compel her appearance at the police station.

It also urged Nigerian authorities to protect press freedom and ensure that allegations of police misconduct are investigated through lawful procedures.