Abuja, Nigeria – April 3, 2025– In a strongly worded press release, Hon. Ali Isa JC, PhD, the Minority Whip of the Nigerian House of Representatives, addressed what he described as a “campaign of calumny” against him led by journalist and publisher Mr. Omoyele Sowore. The statement, issued from his office in the National Assembly Complex, was in response to a recent Facebook post by Sowore concerning an ongoing legal case involving Isa and a constituent, Mr. Umar Thomas.
Isa expressed dismay at Sowore’s decision to comment publicly on a matter currently before the courts without first seeking his perspective. He accused Sowore of abandoning journalistic ethics by failing to verify facts and instead relying on what Isa called “ill-informed” and “one-sided narrations.” Specifically, Isa took issue with Sowore’s characterization of Thomas’s cybercrime trial in Gombe as “farcical” and his claim that Thomas was being persecuted for challenging Isa over alleged diversion of constituency funds. Isa argued that such statements prejudge a case still under judicial review, potentially amounting to contempt of court.
Clarifying the situation, Isa stated that Thomas is facing trial not for fighting corruption, as Sowore suggested, but for defamation stemming from “blatant lies” published on social media about Isa’s character. The lawmaker emphasized his right to seek legal redress to protect his reputation, questioning whether Sowore would condone unchecked falsehoods under the guise of activism.
Isa further alleged that Thomas is being manipulated by a former Gombe State House of Assembly member, a political rival whom Isa defeated in a previous election. He portrayed the defamation case as part of a broader strategy by “failed politicians” to distract from his “monumental achievements” as a representative.
The press release concluded with an invitation to Sowore to attend the trial, scheduled for April 7, 2025, to witness the evidence firsthand rather than relying on what Isa called propaganda. “The courts don’t use propaganda to decide who is right and who is wrong. They use evidence,” Isa asserted, signaling confidence in the legal process.
This public spat underscores tensions between Nigerian political figures and media personalities, highlighting broader debates over free speech, accountability, and the role of journalism in ongoing legal disputes.
by Amechi- P
