Don’t Worry, You’ll Hear From Us” — Kano Lawyer Accused In Certificate Scandal Goes After The Press
A fresh controversy has emerged in Kano State following allegations of intimidation against a journalist who reported on a certificate scandal involving a legal practitioner, prompting concerns about press freedom and the safety of media professionals carrying out their duties.
The journalist, Tom Garba, alleged that he received a series of messages from a lawyer identified as Barrister Bako Yunusa Gambo, whom he claims became displeased with media reports linked to an ongoing controversy surrounding his professional credentials.
According to Garba, the messages contained statements he interpreted as threats, including: “Don’t worry, you will hear from us,” “Find out the outcome of the police report,” and “You will come to know who is BY.” The sender also challenged him to produce a contrary court order if one existed.
Garba maintained that he had never met the lawyer personally and was only carrying out his professional responsibility as a journalist.
“I do not know him personally. I was simply reporting events as they happened,” Garba said.
He explained that his coverage had included proceedings in a high-profile rape case involving an ECWA pastor, Rev. Dr. David Gyet, in which the lawyer reportedly represented the accuser. According to Garba, the case was recently decided in favour of the cleric, and he suspects that coverage of the judgment may have contributed to the tension.
The journalist also noted that several media outlets, had previously published allegations questioning the lawyer’s credentials. Those reports cited claims by a concerned Kano indigene who called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to investigate allegations that quacks may have infiltrated the legal profession.
The reports alleged that Barrister Gambo’s name did not appear on the official list of lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007 and raised questions about the identity under which he obtained admission to study law. The allegations further suggested possible discrepancies involving academic records and professional registration.
However, Barrister Gambo has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In previous responses, he maintained that he is a qualified legal practitioner who graduated from university, attended law school, and was duly called to the Nigerian Bar. He challenged critics to verify the facts independently and insisted that his professional achievements and years of legal practice speak for themselves.
“Winning or losing a case does not determine whether one is a qualified lawyer,” he reportedly stated, adding that integrity, resilience, and competence define a successful legal practitioner.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigerian Bar Association nor relevant regulatory authorities had issued any public statement regarding the allegations.
Garba, meanwhile, has called on the public and relevant institutions to take note of the situation, stressing that any grievances against media reports should be pursued through lawful channels.
“If I have done anything wrong, the courts are there for anyone seeking redress,” he said.
The matter continues to generate debate within legal and media circles, with many observers calling for a transparent investigation to establish the facts and protect the integrity of both the legal profession and the press.
Garba further alleged that the lawyer had repeatedly used media platforms, including Nigeria Sketch, to publish his views and interpretations of court proceedings relating to cases involving the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and other matters of public interest.
According to the journalist, some of the publications appeared aimed at criticizing ECWA and drawing TGNews into a prolonged legal and public dispute.
He claimed that such reports were published while some of the matters were still pending before courts of competent jurisdiction, a practice that has generated debate among legal observers regarding media commentary on ongoing judicial proceedings as court contempt.
Garba maintained that his own reports were limited to factual accounts of court proceedings and developments as they occurred, reacting to Bako:s Stories planted on his cornered Nigerian sketch news platform because none of his story published elsewhere only on that news platform (Nigerian sketch).
The journalist expressed concern that the growing exchange between media organizations and parties connected to the cases could undermine responsible journalism and public confidence in the judicial process.
He reiterated that any person dissatisfied with a publication has the right to seek legal redress through the courts rather than resort to threats or intimidation.
