Nigerian Journalist Cleared of Defamation Charges After Years-Long Legal Battle

A Nigerian journalist, Luka Binniyat, has been acquitted of criminal defamation and cyberstalking charges following a legal process that spanned several years. Binniyat, a reporter for The Epoch Times, was originally arrested in November 2021 after publishing an article that quoted Senator Danjuma Laah regarding violence against Christian farmers in Kaduna State. The senator had criticized the state government's characterization of these attacks as mere clashes, labeling them instead as targeted violence.

Following his arrest, Binniyat spent 84 days in custody before being released in early 2022. In May 2026, the Federal High Court in Kaduna issued a ruling dismissing the case, citing a lack of evidence and describing the prosecution's claims as unreliable. ADF International, which supported Binniyat’s defense, stated that the journalist was targeted simply for reporting the words of a public official.

Reflecting on the verdict, Binniyat expressed gratitude for his exoneration while emphasizing the ongoing challenges regarding press freedom and the documentation of religious persecution in Nigeria. Legal advocates have described the court's decision as a necessary vindication for journalistic integrity in the region.