The Gwagwalada Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has granted bail to Abuja-based journalist and civic activist, Manasseh Bem Paul, who was arrested on Thursday morning after seeking clarification on constituency projects allegedly linked to officials of the Gwagwalada Area Council.
Manasseh, a correspondent with Chronicle Reporters, was reportedly arrested and brutalized by police officers attached to the Gwagwalada Police Division, allegedly acting under the instruction of Hon. Ezekiel Zezelaga, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chairmanship candidate.
Sources confirmed that the journalist was assaulted at the residence of the Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri, before being taken into custody. He was later charged with criminal defamation of character, a charge his supporters and human rights groups have denounced as politically motivated and a blatant attempt to silence investigative journalism.
Manasseh had recently published a series of reports alleging misappropriation of funds and suspicious property acquisitions involving both Chairman Giri and Hon. Zezelaga, sparking public attention and scrutiny in the area council.
During Friday’s court proceedings, Manasseh’s counsel, Barrister Grace, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the charges were bailable and that her client had a constitutional right to liberty pending trial.
Presiding Magistrate granted bail in the sum of ₦3 million with two sureties in like sum — one being a Level 14 civil servant and another a verified businessperson.
However, despite fulfilling the bail conditions, Manasseh’s release was delayed as court officials reportedly closed for the day before the bail bond could be signed.
Reliable sources also disclosed that intermediaries allegedly linked to Hon. Zezelaga had approached Manasseh with offers for an out-of-court settlement on the condition that he publicly apologizes to the APGA candidate and the council chairman — an offer the journalist firmly rejected.
The case has been adjourned to December 1, 2025, for continuation of hearing.
Widely known in Gwagwalada for his fearless advocacy for transparency and accountability, Manasseh has been at the forefront of investigative reporting on corruption and governance abuse in the council.
Human rights organizations and media associations have since renewed calls for his protection, urging authorities to end the criminalization of press freedom and ensure justice for the assaulted journalist.
Chronicle Reporters will continue to follow this developing story as it moves toward the December 1 hearing.