Journalist Alleges Police Arrest, Detention After Accusing Yobe Microfinance Bank MD Of Having Romantic Affair With His Wife

A journalist, Nura Distin, has accused the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Yobe Microfinance Bank, Sheriff Almuhajir, of using his influence to have him detained and remanded in prison after he publicly alleged that the bank chief maintained a romantic relationship with his wife, an employee of the bank.

Almuhajir is said to be a loyalist and ally of Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni.

Distin reportedly made the allegations on his social media accounts, claiming that Almuhajir had been involved in a relationship with his wife both before and after their marriage.

He further alleged that the bank CEO promoted his wife to the position of branch manager while the alleged relationship was ongoing.

To support his claims, Distin reportedly published screenshots of chats and other materials on social media, which he said constituted evidence of the alleged affair.

However, SaharaReporters could not find the chats and other materials on social media, suggesting they might have been deleted. 

According to him, the alleged relationship contributed significantly to the collapse of his marriage and his eventual separation from his wife.

Distin also accused Almuhajir of abusing his office and his alleged political connections to retaliate against him after the allegations became public.

He claimed that officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Damaturu invited him for questioning, detained him for four days and subsequently secured his remand in prison.

He further alleged that Almuhajir frequently organised unnecessary official workshops and assignments to enable his wife travel with him and spend extended periods together under the guise of official duties.

On June 30, Distin disclosed that he had received a police invitation.

“I have been invited by the police, and I will honor the invitation peacefully and with a clear conscience. I remain committed to the truth, and nothing will distract me from the path of honesty and integrity,” he wrote on Facebook.

In another post after reporting to the police, he stated: “We have done S.I.D Damaturu, we shall return by the grace of God.”

As the matter escalated, Distin maintained that he would not be intimidated.

“I was born to face fear, not to run from it. I face challenges with courage, and I strive to overcome them,” he wrote.

“I will never remain silent about anything that harms me. Just as money could not change my principles, neither will intimidation. No one should misuse the authority of the law to pressure someone into doing what they do not want to do. I will continue to stand by my convictions and pursue every matter through lawful and proper means.”

The journalist’s arrest has attracted reactions from some of his supporters. His last posts on Facebook were made on Tuesday, June 30.

A businessman, Sirdeeq Jagaban, who described himself as Distin’s friend, condemned the journalist’s arrest and called for his release.

“Nura Distin is my friend, and he is someone who knows the value of elders. He is an advocate calling for justice for the progress of the community and for the goal of bringing change. There is no reason he should be arrested without due process,” Jagaban wrote on Facebook.

“We will not sit back and watch them trying to intimidate our youths, because we are calling for justice and the rights of the community.”

He added, “Free Nura Distin.”

In another post, Jagaban prayed for Distin and urged supporters not to be discouraged by the development.