Alleged defamation: Court admits Kano journalist to N1 million bail bond

A kano Magistrates’ Court granted Muktar Dahiru, a staff member of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Pyramid FM, Kano, N1 million bail yesterday.

Dahiru is standing trial on three counts of criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, and intentional insult. He was remanded in a correctional facility on Thursday upon arraignment.

At the resumption of the bail application hearing yesterday, Magistrate Umma Kurawa admitted the defendant to bail on the condition that he produce three reliable sureties: the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the defendant’s wife, and a reputable elderly man not less than 65 years of age.

According to the court, one condition attached to the last surety is that the 65-year-old elderly man must undertake that the defendant will not publish anything detrimental to the complainant.

The case has been adjourned to October 2, 2024, for a hearing on the charges. The alleged offences contravene sections 97, 391 and 115 of the Kano State Penal Code Law.

Dahiru was allegedly brought to court and remanded at the correctional centre for sharing media content deemed critical of state government officials, including Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Some online platforms also reported that Dahiru, who was said to be a journalist, is being prosecuted by the government after using his personal social media handle to criticise Governor Yusuf on corruption and other mismanagement of public resources.

However, the complainant, Anas Dala, who formerly served as a special adviser to the immediate past administration in Kano, explained that he took the bold step of dragging Dahiru to court over defamation of his character.

According to Dala, the defendant used his social media handle to address him as an adulterer and a wayward son who abandoned an 85-year-old mother, leaving her to hawk on the street.

Dala also alleged that Dahiru defamed his character by accusing him of impregnating a lady and disrespecting the Vice President, KashimShettima.

The complainant described media reports accusing the Kano State Government of jailing a journalist as false and baseless. He insisted that he brought Dahiru to court to reclaim his integrity and image, which were under threat.