Defamation: Court orders substituted service on Zamfara Governor’s media aide

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

A Magistrate Court in Gusau has ordered a substituted service on Hon. Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Zamfara State Governor, following his failure to appear in a defamation suit.
​The case was instituted by a former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Alasan Kanoma, who Alleged that the governor’s aide engaged in character assassination and other criminal acts.
​The complainant’s counsel, Barrister Surajo Garba Gusau, briefed journalists outside the court, detailing the charges against the Governor’s aide. The suit includes: Alleged false and malicious statements intended to harm the reputation of the former lawmaker, conduct perceived to be capable of breaching public peace and specific allegations regarding the safety of the complainant.
​The court had initially set April 21, 2026, for the mention of the case. However, the court messenger reported an inability to serve the defendant personally, noting that the accused could not be reached.
​In response, Barrister Gusau filed an application for substituted service, which the court granted.
Under the order, summons must be posted at the entrance or a strategic location on the wall of the defendant’s residence.
Also, ​service is extended to the houses of the defendant’s relatives to ensure he is legally notified of the proceedings.
Following the approval of the substituted service, the court has adjourned the matter to April 27, 2026, for further mention.
He said: ​“The court granted our application to ensure that justice is not delayed by the defendant’s unavailability.
“By fixing the notice on his residence and those of his relatives, the law deems him served.”
​The defendant, Hon. Kaura, is now expected to appear before Magistrate Court I, Gusau, on the next adjourned date to face the allegations.