Luka Binniyat

Extra Bio Info:

Luka Binniyat was detained for his reporting on religious groups and religious freedom conditions. 

On November 4, 2021, authorities arrested Binniyat, a journalist for the Epoch Times, in relation to an article he wrote on October 29, 2021. In the article, Binniyat reports on the government's failure to make arrests following a violent attack the month before that resulted in the deaths of 38 Christians. The article also includes a quote from a local senator from the Southern Kaduna Senatorial Zone, criticizing the Kaduna State government for using a high-ranking Christian public official to "cover up" targeted violence based on religion in Southern Kaduna. 

On November 8, 2021, Binniyat was charged with allegedly using a computer to transmit knowingly false information "for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another" (Section 24(B)). 

On November 9, 2021, Binniyat's request for bail was rejected.

On November 23, 2021, Binniyat's request for bail was denied again.

On January 27, 2022, Binniyat was reportedly granted bail.  Early reports indicated that he had been released on this date, but additional reporting indicated that onerous bail conditions prevented him from being released.

On February 3, 2022, Binniyat was reportedly released from prison.

Binniyat's health deteriorated while imprisoned.  He reportedly suffers from an ailment in his joints and one of his knees that required him to use crutches to walk.

Binniyat is reportedly married with six children.