Court remands ex-Kano commissioner for ‘defaming’ Ganduje 

A magistrate court sitting in Kano has ordered the remand of Mua’zu Magaji, a former Kano state commissioner for works and infrastructural development, for allegedly defaming Abdullahi Ganduje, the state governor.

Mua’zu was arraigned on charges bordering on defamation of character, intentional insult, injurious falsehood and inciting disturbance.

According to Wada A Wada, prosecution counsel, the defendant committed the offence between 2021 and 2022 via his Facebook page.

He alleged that the defendant posted a picture of Ganduje with a yet to be identified woman, claiming that both were engaged in an extra-marital affair.

“This action of the defendant defamed the character of the governor and incited supporters to take law into their hands,” he said.

He said the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 392, 399 and 114 of the Penal Code.

Magaji, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Garzali Datti-Ahmad, defence counsel, prayed the court to admit his client to bail. He also raised concerns about the health of his client, noting that the hospital at the state police headquarters lacks proper facilities.

But the prosecution objected to the bail application, arguing that bail on medical grounds cannot be granted by the assertion of a counsel or a defendant.

“The nature of the offence is rampant in the society especially in Kano state,” he said.

Delivering a ruling, Aminu Gabari, the senior magistrate, refused the commissioner’s bail application.

He however ordered that Mua’zu should be allowed medical attention.