Alleged defamation: Kano FRCN worker re-arrested, remanded for bail violation

A staff member of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Pyramid FM, Kano, Muktar Dahiru, has been re-arrested and remanded in a correctional centre for breaching his bail conditions.

Dahiru, who is standing trial on a three-count of criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, and intentional insults, was initially remanded three weeks ago upon arraignment.

The case, instituted by the complainant, Anas Dala, involves alleged offenses that contravene Sections 97, 391, and 115 of the Kano State Penal Code Law.

Last week, Tuesday, Magistrate Ummah Kurawa granted Dahiru bail with a bond of N1 million, under the conditions that he produce three reliable sureties, including the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), his wife, and a reputable elderly man not less than 65 years of age.

The court also ordered the defendant to refrain from posting or publishing anything injurious to the complainant.

Dahiru was reportedly released without the presence or approval of the NUJ chairman, based on the understanding that the surety would be replaced by an appropriate person.

Counsel for Dahiru, Barr. Yusuf Isa, who confirmed the development, revealed that the replacement was necessary since the defendant is not a member of the NUJ. The counsel stated that an application to replace the NUJ with RATTAWU on the bail condition was submitted but has not been certified.

The defendant, who was released pending the perfection of the application, was subsequently detained and returned to custody two days later on the order of the Magistrate, The Guardian reliably gathered.

Confirming the development, Salisu Ali Tofa, Chairman of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Art Workers Union (RATTAWU), Pyramid Radio, FRCN Kano branch, explained that Dahiru is a member of his union and not the NUJ.

Tofa stressed that Dahiru was invited two days after his release and remanded again for breaching bail conditions. Tofa expressed concern that the court has introduced fresh conditions that must be met before the defendant’s release.

“Of course, Dahiru has fulfilled almost all the conditions except the one that involves signing by Hisbah Commander General Sheikh Daurawa. We are having a challenge with that because Daurawa said he can only sign after both the defendant and complainant reconcile.

“Again, on the issue of NUJ and RATTAWU, Dahiru is not a member of NUJ. He is a member of RATTAWU. We have explained this to the lawyer, and they are trying to sort that out with the Magistrate. I have volunteered as Chairman of RATTAWU in my branch, and I hope the lawyers will perfect the process.

“We have also tried to meet Mal. Anas Dala, the complainant, to resolve the issue amicably so that Dahiru will be released. We would also tell Dahiru to delete all the comments where he abused Anas on his social media. But for now, the court has asked us to come back next week, and we are optimistic the court will grant him bail,” Tofa said.

The complainant accused the defendant of using his social media handle to address him as an adulterer and a wayward son who abandoned an 85-year-old mother hawking on the street.

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

The complainant, however, described as falsehood and baseless a media report accusing the Kano State government of jailing a journalist. He insisted that he dragged Dahiru to court to reclaim his integrity and protect his image under threat.