…As MTN accused of frustrating Police efforts in retrieving audio evidence.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A case of allegation of threats to life holding at Magistrate’s Court in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, has suffered setback, following inability of the Nigerian Police to present audio record evidence of the threat before the court at last Monday sitting.
An investigative Journalist, Idibia Gabriel, had reported to the Police concerning a hotelier, Victor Balogun, owner of De Jay’s Hotel, located in Ungwan Boro, for threatening his life on phone over a news report of “raid on suspect hotel” by security operatives, known as Task Force.
The Nigerian Police, Sabon Tasha Divisional Headquarters, had invited the suspect and promised to investigate the allegations after interrogations and taken down his statement and that of compliment journalist.
Although, the suspect did not deny calling the Journalist over the reports on the raid on his hotel by security operatives, he however denied, saying his call was devoid of any threats.
According to our Correspondent, after a month and some weeks, the Police charged the alleged threat matter to Magistrate’s Court, without obtaining the threat audio from MTN network communication, despite several efforts.
When the case came up for mentioning on Monday, 6th October, 2025, the Police were yet to present the evidence before the court to commenced proper prosecution of the suspect who was also personally absent in court. The case was, therefore, adjourned to 24th October for hearing.
Contacted, the Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, who blamed the delay in extracting the audio evidence on MTN, on protocol, however stated that efforts were still being made to get it done.
Some of the previous and current chat with the Police PPRO, who rarely picks calls, reads: “PPRO, Morning, Sir. How far has the Police gone about investigation of the audio clip of the threat to my life call by a hotelier?
“Kindly assist and follow-up on it, pls and pls. Don’t allow the suspect to go and buy off network and delete the message. And, if there’s anything suspicious, let me know in time to inform my office accordingly, pls.
“MTN communication network cannot be more than police and court. No news for over two months now,” the reporter chatted.
“Noted, pls,” the Police Command Spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, responded.
“PPRO, Evening. How far? I’ve not had from you. Is it only my case MTN is doing this or others? Can I go ahead and report ‘How MTN disregard Nigeria Police Official Order to release threats to journalist life phone call audio?,’” the Journalist demanded.
The Journalist, earlier on 10th July 2025 (11:35am) also called and chatted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Sabon Tasha, who gave encouraging remarks for doing his part and shifting the rest to the mother State Headquarters.
“DPO, Morning, Sir. I really need your help in my issue. If need be, let me know where I can com-in, in terms of aide for TP, pls. I’m ready. It’s about my life. Meanwhile, I’ll officially brief my Union chairman NUJ Kaduna tomorrow precisely. It’s over a month now.
“DPO, Morning; how far? Journalist and his case of threat report and investigation promised to extract the audio from MTN network,” the journalist chatted. “Don’t worry; we are making progress in your case,” the DPO responded.
The Journalist and his organization is using this opportunity to strongly appeal to relevant authorities, civil society organizations and other media firms to beam searchlights on MTN and the matter, until justice is done, “Injury to one is injury to all.”
All efforts to personally meet Kaduna MTN Regional Office Manager also proved abortive, as he would always send office boy to inform journalist that he traveled to Abuja Head Office.
The Journalist had reported that the suspect had threatened that he could be so dangerous, if nothing is done to delete or water-down the news report he made on security raid on his hotel, aimed at ridding criminal elements.