Manasseh Bem Paul, founder of Chronicles Reporters, has accused Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri and APGA chairmanship candidate Ezekiel Umar Biko (Zezelaga) of orchestrating attacks, illegal detention, and threats to his life after his reporting on a ₦250 million solar contract linked to Biko.

FOI Request Sparks Controversy

Paul alleged that the harassment began after his organization submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request on October 6, 2025, seeking details on federal allocations, internally generated revenue, and contracts awarded by the council. Instead of complying, the council claimed the documents were with the ICPC and EFCC, which Paul described as a violation of the FOI Act.

Alleged Assault and Detention

Paul said tensions escalated after his report revealed that Biko had received a ₦50 million mobilisation fee for the solar contract. He alleged that Biko stormed his residence with unidentified men claiming to be policemen, dragged him away, and beat him before taking him to Chairman Giri’s residence at Phase 3.

“I was forcefully dragged, beaten, and brought before the Chairman, who ordered that I be taken to the Gwagwalada Police Division and held until DSS arrived,” Paul claimed.

Beatings in Police Custody

According to Paul, at the police station, the DPO was absent, leaving him at the mercy of Biko, who allegedly assaulted him in the presence of IPO Terso. He claimed that later that night, two unidentified men were brought into his cell to assault him again, and access to his lawyer and medication was denied.

Secret Arraignment, Bail, and Threats

Paul said he was arraigned without informing his lawyer, though the magistrate granted him ₦3 million bail. He alleged that Biko openly threatened to kill him after court, boasting of political connections with former military Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar and ex-Senator Philip Aduda.

“Both men have reportedly mobilised thugs and placed a ₦2 million bounty for anyone who can bring me back ‘dead or in bruises,’” Paul said.

Appeal for Intervention

Paul, who now lives in hiding, called on Senator Ireti Kingibe, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), SERAP, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the IGP, and the NHRC to intervene.

“This is not just my story. It is the story of every young journalist who refuses to be silenced. If those in power can assault and threaten to kill a reporter for demanding transparency, then the right to free expression is dead in Nigeria,” he stated.