A Bauchi Magistrate Court 1, presided by Ahmed Baba Sekoni Abdulfatai has granted bail to Wikki Times Publisher, Haruna Muhammad and its reporter, Idris Kamal.
Solacebase reports that the ordeal of the two journalists began on Monday, June 27, 2022, when they honoured an invitation from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) following a petition by Mr. Yakubu Shehu Abdullahi, a member of the House of Representatives representing Bauchi Federal Constituency concerning a Wikki Times report of May 18, 2022 on the sudden death of Chairman of the All Progressive Peoples Congress (APC) in Bauchi Local Government area of the State.
The journalists arrived the station about 10am on Monday but after making a statement they were clamped into a cell where they alleged that they were physically assaulted. Despite the presence of their Lawyer at the Police Station, they were not set free until about 10 hours later and asked to report back on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 for further interrogation.
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At the court sitting on Wednesday, the Prosecutor, Biliyaminu said the duo were arraigned on a three count charge of Criminal conspiracy, defamation of character and cyber stalking.
Counsel to the defendants, Barr. Idris Gambo argued the charges on the ground that the matter had nothing to do with cyber crime and contrary to section 24 of the cyber crime act.
Hence the charge was struck out by the court.
The matter was then adjourned to July 25th 2022 and the two journalists were later granted bail with N100,000 each and a surety each
The two journalists have been released.
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