Our Reporter, Abuja
The African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the alleged victimization and threat to the life of a whistleblower, Mr. Mubarak Bello, by the Katsina State Police Command.
AFRICMIL, in a petition dated October 6, 2025, accused the Katsina State Police Command of targeting Mr. Bello for exposing a ghost workers’ racket within the police payroll in the state. Copies of the petition were also sent to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN; Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr. Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu, SAN; and the Executive Director of the Whistleblowing International Network (WIN), Anna Myers, in Glasgow, Scotland.
According to an earlier report published on September 16, 2025, by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Mr. Bello, 38, was arrested on September 13, 2025, by officers of the Katsina Police Command for alleged impersonation, possession of a fake police identity card, and unlawful possession of firearms.
AFRICMIL, however, described the arrest as a reprisal for Mr. Bello’s whistleblowing activities. The group said independent investigations revealed that Bello, who ran a business centre at the Katsina State Police headquarters and performed secretarial services for the command, had in 2021 exposed a payroll fraud involving ghost police workers.
He reportedly petitioned both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the ICPC, providing detailed evidence of the alleged fraudulent scheme.
AFRICMIL’s Coordinator, Dr. Chido Onumah, expressed grave concern over Bello’s safety, alleging that he and his family have been repeatedly attacked before and after his arrest.
“We have reasons to fear for the life of Mr. Bello following the numerous attacks he and his family have faced both before and after his arrest. Mr. Bello’s ordeal is a clear case of impunity and grave human rights violation,” Onumah stated.
He urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations and to guarantee Mr. Bello’s protection as a citizen who acted in the public interest.
“As a Nigerian who has undertaken a patriotic duty, he deserves the protection of the State. We hope you will use your good offices to intervene in this matter and bring it to a speedy conclusion, including a diligent investigation into the alleged payroll fraud and justice for Mr. Bello for the retaliation he has suffered over the years,” Onumah added.
AFRICMIL, a civil society organisation promoting accountability, media literacy, and good governance, has over the past eight years championed whistleblower protection through its Corruption Anonymous (CORA) project, which encourages citizens to expose corruption while advocating for their protection from reprisals.
