A magistrate court in Bauchi State has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Haruna Mohammed Salisu, the publisher of WikkiTimes. The warrant follows allegations that Salisu exposed fraudulent contracts involving Mansur Manu Soro, a federal lawmaker representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency.
The case centers on claims that Soro diverted hundreds of millions through contracts funneled by his associate in Bauchi State. Initially, Soro did not pursue legal action against the publication but later changed course, using his ally, Abubakar Abdullahi, a director at Sahel Global Desert Emergy Limited, to file a lawsuit against WikkiTimes. Named in the suit are Salisu and Yawale Adamu, the reporter.
The court’s decision to issue the arrest warrant came after Salisu failed to attend court sessions. The judge noted that Salisu’s continued absence made it necessary to enforce the arrest order. The lawsuit was served through substituted service after attempts to serve the parties directly failed.
Soro’s lawsuit claims that the WikkiTimes report defamed him and harmed his personal and social reputation. WikkiTimes’ lawyer, Barrister Idris Safiyanu Gambo, argued that his clients were unaware of the lawsuit until they were served through substituted service. Gambo contested that there were no records of prior attempts to serve his clients directly.
Gambo also mentioned that Salisu had been abroad since the case began and that the court had been informed of this. Salisu, speaking to SaharaReporters, expressed surprise at the bench warrant, stating he respects the judge’s decision but was committed to legal processes. He clarified that his absence was due to being out of the country and that he had informed his legal team accordingly.
Salisu expressed concerns about increasing hostility toward truthful journalism in Bauchi State, attributing the warrant to a broader effort to suppress critical reporting. He emphasized that WikkiTimes remains dedicated to investigative journalism and transparency, despite ongoing harassment and challenges.
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