By Correspondent in Minna
Justice Emeka Nwite of Federal High Court Sitting in Minna, Niger state, has fixed July 26, 2021 for the commencement of trial of Abdulkareem Ajibola and Anas Umar,accused of publishing stories found to be injurious to the person of former Military Head of State, General Abdulsalam Alhaji Abubakar.
Our Correspondent reports that the two defendants,who have been remanded in Correctional facility in the state,were said to have published and circulated the storie on social media.
This the prosecution further alleged the defendants did by using their galaxy smartphones to depict General Abubakar was the owner of an helicopter and behind the supply of arms and other logistics to bandits terrorizing some communities in Niger state.
The Police Prosecutor, Jude Akaeze, who presented four-count charge against the defendant, said they contravened Section 24 Sub-Section (1B) Cyber Cafe crime law.
Our Correspondent further reports that when the accused appeared before the court Akaeze four days ago, Akaeze prayed to the court to adjourn the case, to enable him present witnesses to prove allegations against the defendants.
The counsel to the defendants, Abdulkareem Abubakar, however, moved motion for the granting of his clients bail
The counsel,who argued that the suspects had stayed for one month in the Nigeria Correctional Centre added that the defendants had also pleaded not guilty to the four charges preferred against them.
Justice Emeka Nwite however, urged defending Counsel to ‘do the needful’ in applying for bail and adjourned to the case to July 26 2021 to commence trial but turned down the motion for the bail of the defendants.
