Former NUJ President, Lanre Ogundipe, Demands Due Process For Kaduna-Based Journalist, Farida Isiak Ahead Of Fresh Trial
KADUNA, NIGERIA — Former President of the Nigeria and Africa Union of Journalists, Lanre Ogundipe, has strongly demanded strict adherence to due process and a fair hearing for Kaduna-based journalist Farida Isiak ahead of her fresh trial scheduled for November 3, 2026.
In a press statement signed on Friday, October 23, 2026, Ogundipe insisted that the upcoming judicial proceedings must be conducted fairly, independently, and entirely free from external interference.
Farida Isiak, a 23-year-old reporter with Nagarta Radio, was previously arrested, convicted, and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment or a ₦1.75 million fine following a Facebook post she wrote regarding the police’s alleged treatment of her parents.
However, her initial conviction has since been set aside, and she has been released on bail pending the new trial.
Ogundipe threw his weight behind the current NUJ President, Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, who has also been vocal in calling for a proper judicial review of the case.
Clarifying that his stance is not a plea for special privilege, Ogundipe stated that journalists are not above the law but remain fully entitled to the constitutional protections guaranteed to every Nigerian citizen.
“This is not a demand for special treatment because she is a journalist,” Ogundipe noted in the statement.
“Journalists, like every other citizen, are subject to the law. They are, however, equally entitled to the protections guaranteed by law, including the fundamental right to a fair hearing.”
He further emphasized that Isiak’s case underscores the critical need to preserve the legitimate space for media practitioners to safely report on, question, and scrutinize public institutions within legal limits.
The veteran media leader concluded by calling on the court to determine the matter strictly on the merits of the evidence and the applicable law, ensuring a level playing field for both the prosecution and the defence.
