A journalist, Tom Garba, has alleged that he was subjected to intimidation after reporting on a controversy surrounding the professional credentials of a Kano-based legal practitioner, Barrister Bako Yunusa Gambo.
The allegation has reignited concerns over press freedom and the safety of journalists carrying out their professional responsibilities.
Garba claimed that Gambo sent him a series of messages after media reports relating to allegations about the lawyer's credentials were published.
According to the journalist, the messages included statements such as, "Don't worry, you will hear from us," "Find out the outcome of the police report," and "You will come to know who is BY." He also alleged that the lawyer challenged him to produce any court order contradicting his position.
Garba maintained that he had no personal relationship with the lawyer and was only performing his duty as a journalist by reporting matters of public interest.
He said part of his coverage involved the rape trial of an Evangelical Church Winning All pastor, Rev. Dr. David Gyet, in which Gambo reportedly appeared as counsel for the complainant.
According to Garba, the case was recently decided in favour of the cleric, adding that media coverage of the judgment may have contributed to the disagreement between both parties.
The journalist also referred to previous publications by some media organisations, including Universal Reporters, which raised questions over Gambo's professional qualifications and called on the Nigerian Bar Association to investigate the allegations.
The reports questioned whether the lawyer's name appeared on the official roll of persons called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007 and alleged possible discrepancies relating to his admission into the legal profession and academic records.
Gambo has, however, consistently denied the allegations, insisting that he is a duly qualified legal practitioner.
He maintained that he completed his university education, attended the Nigerian Law School and was properly called to the Bar, urging critics to verify the facts through the appropriate authorities.
The lawyer also argued that the outcome of cases handled by legal practitioners has no bearing on their professional qualifications, maintaining that competence and integrity define successful legal practice.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Bar Association and other relevant regulatory authorities had yet to issue any official statement on the allegations.
Garba urged individuals dissatisfied with media reports to seek redress through the courts instead of resorting to threats or intimidation.
He further alleged that Gambo had frequently used a media platform, Nigeria Sketch, to publish commentaries and interpretations of court proceedings involving the Evangelical Church Winning All and other public interest cases.
According to him, some of the publications criticised the church and sought to draw TGNews into a prolonged legal dispute, while certain reports were published when some of the matters were still pending before the courts.
Garba maintained that his reports were restricted to factual accounts of court proceedings and developments, expressing concern that attempts to intimidate journalists could erode public confidence in both the media and the judicial system.
He reiterated that the courts remain the appropriate avenue for resolving disputes arising from media publications and called for respect for the rule of law.
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