Presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has condemned the "unjust arrest and farcical trial" of Kaduna-based journalist Farida Isiak.
In a post on X, Sowore said that using the Nigeria Police Force to intimidate, arrest, and prosecute a journalist merely for expressing her views, posting her opinions, or speaking freely is an outrageous abuse of state power and a direct assault on press freedom and the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
"Even more outrageous is the judicial perfidy that reportedly culminated in a judge sentencing her to four years' imprisonment on these bogus charges. What manner of justice sends a journalist to prison for exercising her constitutional right to freedom of expression?" he asked.
Sowore called on the police to withdraw their support for this persecution, and the conviction must be urgently overturned through the appropriate legal process so that Farida can regain her freedom and reunite with her family without delay.
"The Nigeria Police Force must stop being used as an instrument of repression and persecution. Expressing an opinion is not a crime!" he added.
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