A Kaduna Sharia Court on Thursday, October 22, 2026, overturned the conviction of Nagarta Radio journalist Farida Isiak, 23, and granted her bail over a Facebook post criticising police conduct.
Isiak was sentenced on October 21 to four years in prison or a ₦1.75 million fine on a defamation charge.
Her lawyer, Mukhtar Abubakar, challenged the proceedings, arguing that she pleaded guilty without legal representation and did not fully understand the consequences. The court set aside the conviction, accepted her fresh plea of not guilty and adjourned the case until November 3.
Amnesty International had called for the charges to be dropped and the officers involved investigated, warning against the use of criminal prosecution to intimidate journalists.
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The case reportedly followed a dispute between Isiak’s mother and a neighbour over ₦100 in change from a charcoal sale. Police allegedly arrested her mother and later detained her father when he sought her release.
Isiak subsequently posted criticism of the police on Facebook. She went to the Mararaban Jos police division at about 10 p.m. on October 20 and was detained despite reportedly deleting the post and apologising.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists also raised concerns about fair hearing, personal liberty and press freedom.
Although Isiak has been released on bail, the case remains pending, with proceedings scheduled to resume on November 3, 2026.