A Kano Chief Magistrate Court has ordered the police to launch a full-scale investigation into allegations of criminal defamation against Daily Nigerian publisher, Jafar Jafar, over reports describing a senior government official as a “thieving aide” to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The order, issued by Chief Magistrate Abdul’aziz M. Habib of Court No. 15, Nomansland, followed a complaint filed by the Director General, Directorate of Protocol, Kano Government House, Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo.
Rogo accused Jafar and one Audu Umar of publishing malicious reports on August 22 and 25, 2025, which he said were designed to tarnish his reputation and that of the governor.
One of the contested publications bore the headline: “Gov. Yusuf Defends Thieving Aide, Says Protocol Directorate Under Ganduje Spent ₦20 Billion in 3 Months”, while another story read: “Court Documents Reveal How ICPC, EFCC Traced ₦6.5 Billion to Gov. Yusuf’s DG Protocol”.
According to the complaint, the reports amounted to falsehoods deliberately crafted to damage his image.
The defendants now face two counts: Criminal defamation under Section 393 of the Kano Penal Code and Breach of public peace under Section 114.
Both offenses are punishable under state law.
The case, filed pursuant to Sections 106 and 107 of the Kano State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019, seeks the prosecution of Jafar and Umar.
The court directed the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone One, Kano, to carry out a comprehensive probe into the allegations. The order, signed by the court registrar, was issued on August 28, 2025.
Alongside the criminal complaint, Rogo has also instituted a civil defamation suit at the Kano State High Court, seeking damages against Jafar and Daily Nigerian.
Government officials dismissed the corruption allegations as “fiction and blackmail,” insisting the reports were politically motivated attempts to smear both Rogo and Governor Yusuf.
Police have now been tasked with questioning Jafar on why he allegedly flouted journalistic ethics by branding an official a “thief” based only on an ongoing anti-graft investigation.