NUJ Advocates for Fair Trial of Journalist Farida Isiak

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for justice and due process in the case of Farida Isiak, a 23-year-old journalist with Nagarta Radio in Kaduna State. Isiak was reportedly sentenced to four years’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦1.75 million for defamation due to a Facebook post criticizing the police.

The NUJ expressed concern over her arrest and the circumstances surrounding her parents' detention, which stemmed from a dispute involving a ₦100 change from a charcoal sale. Despite deleting the post and apologizing, Isiak was taken to court in Kawo, Kaduna State, where she received her sentence.

Lawyers intervened to prevent her immediate transfer to a correctional facility, and she was granted bail, with a retrial scheduled for November 3, 2026. The NUJ emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and the need for a transparent judicial process, while also acknowledging that journalists must adhere to the law.