Court docks activist over Facebook post against judge

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

A Minna based Social Media Activist, Comrade Ibrahim Akibu Jafa’ar has been docked and remanded in Minna Custodial Centre by a Senior Magistrate Court 7 for posting on his Facebook page an alleged injurious publication against the Niger State Judiciary.
Consequently, the operatives of the. State Intelligent Bureau ( SIB) , of Niger State Police Command alleged that the social media activist had posted on his Facebook page name Ibrahim Akibu Ja’afar saying,
“Niger State Judiciary why we must not keep quiet” that of recent a certain female Magistrate appointed in High Court Judge .with a claims by some quarters that such Magistrate cannot compose good sentence when addressing counsel or the court.
“Infact, the said High Court judge did not even meet the minimum requirements of six judgement as required by the National Judicial Council ( NJC) but was package and presented to NJC for appointment as a high court judge.
He was arraigned on Tuesday on Four count charges which borders on defamation, injurious, falsehood, printing of aggravating the matter known to be defamatory and inciting disturbance.
Apparently, the First Information Report (FIR) stated that the four count charges contravene Section 392, 393 ,394 and114 of the Penal Code Law.
When the four count charges were read to him by the presiding Senior Magistrate, Mrs Halimat Mohammed the accused person (Activist) pleaded not guilty of the offence.
However, the prosecutor, Inspector Thomas Amos. objected to the bail on the ground that investigation into the case is ongoing arguing that granting him bail he will allegedly temper with police investigation.
The defendant counsel Bar. Drisu Ajodo, made an oral application requesting for his bail. on neutral ground. He told the court that all the four charges brought against him are bailable offence “ my Lord you can even use your discretion to Grant him bail on neutral ground.
“My Lord, the accused person was just called on his phone by the police and he went to the state police headquarter on his own.
“The issue of tempering with police investigation does not even arise. Granting him bail with your worship discretion he will provide a reasonable surety that will stand for him. Your worship that is our humble prayers,” he submitted.
The Presiding Senior Magistrate Halimat Mohammed, then ordered for his remand in Minna Custodial Centre and adjourned the matter to the 19th March for filling on bail.