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₦6.5bn Scandal: Journalist Detained After Exposing Alleged Corruption Involving Governor’s Aide

BySodiq Lawal

PublishedOctober 19, 2025

A Kano-based journalist, Ibrahim Dan’uwa Rano, has been detained by the police at the Zonal Police Headquarters in Kano following a petition filed by Abdullahi Rogo, the embattled Director-General of Protocol to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State.

Mr. Rogo, who is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over an alleged ₦6.5 billion scandal, accused the journalist of defamation of character.

According to Daily Nigerian, police officers stormed Mr Rano’s office in Kano on Thursday, arresting him without an arrest warrant and whisking him away to the zonal command for interrogation.

Sources said the journalist was questioned over allegations of defaming Mr. Rogo and operating an online television station without a valid licence from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

However, Mr Rano reportedly clarified during interrogation that online media platforms are not required by law to obtain NBC licences, insisting his operations were in full compliance with Nigeria’s broadcasting regulations.

Despite his clarification, Mr Rano was allegedly ordered to be detained in a police cell on the directive of the embattled DG.

The controversy reportedly stems from an episode of Mr Rano’s popular programme, “Imalu”, where he hinted that “a certain DG of protocol” was collecting bribes from individuals seeking access to the governor.

Although no names were mentioned in the broadcast, the DG took offence and lodged a petition accusing the journalist of defamation.

In a bizarre twist, police officers were said to have demanded that the journalist “produce Imalu,” the fictional character in his programme, before he could be released.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kano Zonal Police Command had yet to issue an official statement regarding the journalist’s arrest or detention.

Sodiq Lawal

Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.