Jafar Jafar (centre in white) at the Aminu Kano International Airport on Thursday.
Mr Jafar Jafar, Publisher of Daily Nigeria which published a video clip allegedly showing Governor Abdullahi Ganduje receiving a bribe, appeared before a Kano State House of Assembly committee on Thursday.
His appearance before the investigative committee was to enable him to provide more details about the video as the lawmakers seek to unravel the truth behind the video which went viral.
Governor Ganduje and the Kano State Government had since denied the allegation, but Jafar told the lawmakers the video is authentic and that he obtained it from a whistleblower.
Here are major photos from his appearance:
Security was tight at the Kano State House of Assembly in anticipation of Jafar’s appearance.A police vehicle parked outside the Kano State House of AssemblySecurity personnel were at the airport reportedly to escort the publisher to the Assembly.Jafar (left) arrived at the Aminu Kano International Airport in company with his lawyer after 11 am.
The publisher’s arrival was not only anticipated by the lawmakers, journalists were also at the airport to capture the moment.After being received, along with his lawyer, by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano Police Command, SP Magaji Majia, he was escorted by the police to the House of Assembly complex.When he finally appeared before the committee, Jafar was quizzed about how he got the video, how he determined it was authentic, and if he ensured he balanced his story when he decided to publish it. He told the lawmakers he obtained the clip from a whistleblower two years ago and decided to use it after he became certain it was authentic. Asked about the whistleblower, he declined to name his source.Kano State Attorney-General (left), who was at the hearing, said he was representing the people of Kano State and not the Governor and that his aim is to ensure justice is done to all the parties involved.Meanwhile, on the streets of Kano, the commencement of the probe was greeted with protest. Many took to the street to express support for Governor Ganduje and Jafar. Those in support of the governor said the publication of the video amounts to an invasion of the Governor’s constitutionally protected privacy while others believed that the leaked footage is an act of investigative journalism.
