Alleged Defamation: Court grants Kano journalist bail
A Magistrate Court sitting in Kano on Tuesday granted bail to a journalist accused of criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, and intentional insult against the complainant, Anas Dala
Muktar Dahiru, a journalist with Radio Nigeria, Pyramid FM Kano, was granted bail in the sum of one million Naira.
SolaceBase reports that the court, presided by Magistrate Umma Kurawa, attached conditions to the bail that include Dahiru providing three sureties, one of whom must be the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), his wife, and another reputable individual endorsed by the Kano Hisbah Board.
Additionally, the court ordered Dahiru to refrain from posting any offensive content on his social media handles that could harm the reputation of the complainant.
Speaking after the court session, Dahiru’s counsel, Barrister Dahiru Yahuza Adam, expressed satisfaction with the bail ruling.
“We applied for bail, and the judge approved our application,” he said.
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“The court granted our client bail on a one million Naira bond. The sureties must include the chairman of the NUJ, his wife, and a reputable individual endorsed by the Hisbah commander of his area.”
The prosecuting counsel, Barrister Safiya Y Yahaya, from the Ministry of Justice, did not oppose the bail application.
She acknowledged that defamation of character is a bailable offence and that the bail would likely be granted even if the prosecution objected.
“We did not oppose the bail but requested certain conditions,” Yahaya explained.
“One condition is that the defendant must refrain from posting anything on his social media that could be offensive to the complainant’s character until the case is concluded.”
The court granted the bail subject to these conditions, ensuring Dahiru’s release pending the determination of the defamation case against him.
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The court also adjourned the sitting to October 2nd, 2024.
The alleged offences contravene sections 97, 391 and 115 of the Kano state Penal Code Law.
Dahiru was allegedly dragged to court and subsequently remanded at the Correctional Centre for sharing media content deemed critical of the state government officials, including Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
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The complainant, Anas Abba Dala, Senior Special Assistant (Political Awareness ) to Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf, explained that he dragged 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 hawking on the street.
Dala also alleged that Dahiru defamed his character by accusing him of impregnating a lady and disrespecting the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
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