The police have apprehended journalist Ahmed Isah Sakpe, commonly referred to as Ahmed Lee, on charges of cyberbullying and defamation against a government official in Niger State.
Sakpe, who is affiliated with Prestige FM, a radio station located in Minna, is presently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Niger State Police.
His detention arose from a complaint lodged by Mohammed Gimba, a protocol aide to the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago.
This complaint was reportedly related to a press release disseminated on the Crusader Radio Facebook page managed by Sakpe.
According to information from the Niger State Police Command, the complaint was triggered by accusations from an individual named Dabban, claiming defamation, falsehood, and cyberbullying.
The police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that the case is currently being probed and that Sakpe is expected to be prosecuted in court.
"On February 16, 2025, the accused was summoned and subsequently arrested based on a complaint filed by one Dabban regarding allegations of falsehood, character defamation, and cyberbullying. Investigations are ongoing, and the case will soon be brought before the court," he stated.
In a related context, the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria had previously included Governor Bago in its 'Book of Infamy' due to reported infringements on press freedom.
IPI President Musikilu Mojeed noted that Bago was listed after ordering the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM, a local radio station, back in August, describing the action as undemocratic, unconstitutional, and intolerable. Both IPI and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, attempted to intervene in the matter without success.
Mojeed emphasized that the situation remains unresolved, which prompted the inclusion of Governor Bago in the list.
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