…As Police Blame MTN for Delay in Retrieving Audio Evidence
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A case involving an alleged threat to the life of investigative journalist Idibia Gabriel has suffered a setback at a Magistrate Court in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, following the inability of the police to present an audio recording purportedly containing the threat.
Gabriel had reported Victor Balogun, a hotelier and owner of De Jay’s Hotel located in Ungwan Boro, to the police for allegedly threatening him over a news report about a security raid on his hotel by a task force.
The Sabon Tasha Divisional Police Headquarters had earlier invited Balogun for questioning, obtained his statement alongside that of the complainant, and promised to investigate the matter. Although the suspect admitted calling the journalist regarding the report, he denied issuing any threats during the conversation.
Despite several follow-ups, the police reportedly charged the case to court without obtaining the alleged threat’s audio recording from the MTN Nigeria Communications Network, which was expected to serve as key evidence.
When the matter came up on Monday, October 6, 2025, the police were still unable to tender the audio evidence before the court, stalling the commencement of the trial. The defendant was also absent. The case was subsequently adjourned to October 24, 2025 for hearing.
Contacted for comments, the Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, attributed the delay in obtaining the audio evidence to procedural issues with MTN but assured that efforts were ongoing to resolve the matter.
“The delay is due to protocol challenges with MTN, but the police are still working to retrieve the required evidence,” Hassan said.
Private chats obtained between the journalist and the police spokesman indicated that Gabriel had repeatedly followed up on the matter, urging the authorities to prevent the suspect from tampering with evidence. The PPRO had replied briefly, acknowledging receipt of the messages.
Similarly, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Sabon Tasha Division confirmed that the division had done its part and escalated the case to the state headquarters for further action, assuring that progress was being made.
Efforts by the journalist to meet the MTN Kaduna Regional Manager were unsuccessful, as he was reportedly unavailable during multiple visits.
The journalist has appealed to relevant authorities, civil society organizations, and media unions to intervene and ensure justice is served, emphasizing that “an injury to one journalist is an injury to all.”
Gabriel had alleged that the suspect warned him to retract or “water down” a published report on the security raid, which authorities had said targeted criminal elements allegedly linked to the hotel.
