Court grants Muktar Dahiru N1m bail in Kano

By SUMAYYAH ADEFAKA

A Kano Magistrate court on Tuesday granted one Muktar Dahiru, staff of Federal Radio Corporations of Nigeria (FRCN), Pyramid FM, Kano, a N1 million bail bond.

Dahiru, who is standing trial on three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, defamation of character and intentional insults, was remanded in Correctional Centre facility on Thursday after his arraignment.

At the resumption of hearing on bail application Tuesday, Magistrate Ummah Kurawa admitted the defendant to bail with conditions to produce three reliable sureties including Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ, Defendant’s Wife and reputation elderly man not less than 65 years of age.

Part of the conditions attached to the last surety, according to the Court remain that, the 65 years old elderly man must also under that the defendant will not publish anything injurious to the person of the nominer complaint.

The case has been adjourned to 2nd October, 2024 for hearing on the charges. The alleged offenses contravene section 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.

It was also reported by some online platform that Dahiru, who was said to be a journalist, is being prosecuted by the government after he (defendant) used his personal social media handle to criticize Governor Yusuf on cases of corruption and other mismanagement of public resources.

However, the complaint, Anas Dala who formerly served as special adviser to immediate past administration in Kano, explained that he took the boldness drag Dahiru to court over defamation of his character.

According to Dala, the defendant used his social media handle to address him as adulterer and a wayward son who abandoned a 85 years old mother hawking on the street.

Dala also alleged that Dahiru defamed his character by accusing him of impregnated a lady and disrespect the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

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