Sokoto, Nigeria
Shafi’u Umar-Tureta has been remained in a Correctional Center Custody for allegedly circulating falsehoods against the Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu and his wife through a social media platform.
The decision was made in a ruling by a Chief Magistrate Court on Friday by the presiding Chief Magistrate Fatima Hassan.
Tureta served as a special assistant to former Governor Aminu Tambuwal and was charged with circulating injurious falsehood and engraving matter known to be defamatory.
On August 26, the case was first mentioned and the Police Prosecutor, Insp. Abdurahman Mansur, said the offences have contravened the penal code law of the country.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused committed the offences on July 18, 2024.
Tureta had denied the allegations, while the lead Defense Counsel, Al’Mustafa Abubakar, made an oral application for his bail which was objected to by the prosecution and magistrate reserved for ruling.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Fatima Hassan said the only document before her was the FIR and in recognition of the nature of the offences, the Defense Counsel needed to file a formal application for the accused person’s bail.
Hassan has adjourned the case to Sept. 18, 2024, for a hearing, and ordered the accused to be remanded in Correctional Center custody.
