A Sokoto Chief Magistrate Court has granted bail to Shafi’u Umar, who is facing trial for allegedly spreading falsehoods against Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State and his wife on social media.
Umar, 37, a former Special Assistant to ex-Governor Aminu Tambuwal, is charged with circulating defamatory content.
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Abdurahman Mansur, said the offense, committed on July 18, violates the penal code.
The prosecution alleges that Umar shared a video of the governor’s wife, Hajia Fatima Aliyu, “spraying” money during her birthday amid economic hardships.
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He is also accused of circulating a document claiming that the governor failed his Senior Secondary School Examination.
Umar pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Fatima Hassan granted him bail at N1 million with a surety but ordered his remand pending fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to October 10, 2024, to allow the prosecution to complete its investigation.
