By Harriet Tornguvan
A Kano High Court has issued a restraining order against the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, along with several individuals and media organizations, over allegations of a smear campaign targeting Alhaji Bello Muhammed Matawalle.
The court’s ruling, which remains in effect until the hearing and determination of the originating motion, also applies to the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, the Government of Zamfara, the Attorney General of the Federation, Vision Media Services Ltd, Vision FM, Farin Wata TV, Liberty Radio and TV, Shuaibu Mungadi, and Tijjani Ramalan.
The ruling follows a legal challenge from Alhaji Masuda Abdulkadir, who alleges that Governor Lawal has been using media platforms to tarnish the reputation of Matawalle by linking him to criminal activities, including banditry and corruption, without providing credible evidence.
In a statement issued by Yusuf Idris Gusau, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress APC in Zamfara State, it was noted that these accusations are part of Governor Lawal's strategy to discredit Matawalle due to his rising political influence both within Zamfara and across Nigeria.
Yhe APC statement further alleged that the smear campaign is aimed at derailing Matawalle’s potential re-appointment as a Minister, particularly in light of an anticipated cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The court order restrains Governor Lawal and his associates from continuing any defamatory actions, warning against any further attempts to discredit Matawalle. The public is also urged to be cautious of any misleading information being circulated, which the APC claims is designed to harm Matawalle's reputation.
According to the interim injunction, all parties involved including security agencies and media outlets are barred from inviting, arresting, or prosecuting Abdulkadir in relation to the case.
Media organizations and individuals connected to the smear campaign have also been ordered to cease airing or disseminate any defamatory content about Matawalle, pending the court’s final decision on the matter.
