DICTATORSHIP IN NIGERIA: Lecturer arrested for criticising Buhari on Facebook denied bail

Dr John Danfulani, detailed for criticizing the President on Facebook

Chief magistrate Court 1, Kaduna, has denied Dr John Danfulani bail after being detained by the police for over 24 hours.

ADVERTISEMENT

Danfulani, a lecturer with the Kaduna State University, KASU, is being held for alleged inciting and hateful statements in the social media against the people of northern Nigeria, thereby, capable of causing breakdown of law and order in northern Nigeria and other parts of the country. This is contrary to section 417 and 418 of the penal code of northern Nigeria.

The magistrate, Alhaji Awwal Musa while presiding over the case, said that the police was empowered to protect, investigate and carry out the duty assigned to them, hence the court cannot deny them their power.

He argued that the police had not finished their investigation yet, and as such, Dr Danfulani be remanded in police custody. He also said that further investigation must be concluded in the matter latest by Monday, 1st February, 2016.

Earlier, Barrister Gamaliel Kore, leading other six defending counsels sought for the bail of the accused person, saying that the case was bailable, and as a responsible lecturer, he would not jump bail.

Dictator Buhari

He argued that the accused was invited by the police which he voluntarily honoured even when he was away in foreign country, stressing that if granted bail, he will always be available to stand trial.

The prosecuting officer had prayed that the court should not grant the accused person bail but should be remanded in police custody for three weeks to allow full investigation into the matter without any interference.

ADVERTISEMENT

Danfulani, who was detained over an alleged Facebook comment is said to be a known critic of the government of Mallam Nasir El Rufai and President Muhammadu Buhari.