Sokoto, Sept. 6, 2024 (TheGavel) – A Sokoto Chief Magistrate Court on Friday ordered the remand of Shafi’u Umar, a former aide to ex-Governor Aminu Tambuwal, in a correctional facility for allegedly circulating defamatory content against Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State and his wife, Hajia Fatima Aliyu, on social media.
The 37-year-old Umar, who served as Special Assistant to former Governor Tambuwal, was charged with circulating injurious falsehood and engraving defamatory materials. The case was first mentioned on August 26, with Police Prosecutor Inspector Abdurahman Mansur stating that the alleged actions violated the penal code law.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Umar committed the offence on July 18. The prosecution accused him of sharing a video of Governor Aliyu’s wife “spraying” money during her birthday celebration, a move that sparked public outrage due to the economic hardships many citizens are currently facing.
Additionally, Umar allegedly circulated a document that claimed Governor Aliyu failed his Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE), scoring an F9, and insinuated that the governor lacked the ability to communicate effectively in English.
Umar pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lead defense counsel, Mr. Al’Mustafa Abubakar, made an oral request for bail, but the prosecution objected. Chief Magistrate Fati Hassan deferred the ruling on the bail application.
Abubakar also requested an adjournment for a definite hearing, arguing that the prosecution should not use ongoing investigations as a pretext to delay the case, noting that investigations should have been completed prior to the next court sitting.
In her ruling, Magistrate Hassan stated that the only document currently before the court was the FIR. Given the seriousness of the alleged offense, she instructed the defense to file a formal bail application for further consideration. The case was adjourned to September 18, and the defendant was ordered to remain in custody at a correctional facility until the next hearing. (NAN)
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