Judge who remanded Kaduna reporter dies

Bashir Sukola, the judge who ordered the remand of Luka Binniyat, a former Vanguard correspondent, is dead.

Sukola was said to have died at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Survived by a wife and six children, the deceased has been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

His remains were interred at Bachama cemetery, Tudun Wada area of Kaduna.

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, was among the sympathisers who visited the late judge’s home. He also witnessed the internment.

Binniyat was standing trial before the judge for alleged false and inciting news report.

The journalist was detained at the Kaduna prison for over three months, following stringent bail conditions.

Luka regained freedom after the bail conditions were reviewed about two weeks ago.