Court has again denied bail for a politician remanded for more than 30 days for allegedly insulting Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
A.A. Lawan Uba has been in detention for a month after being accused of sharing videos in which he accused the governor of betraying those who helped him win the election and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
A chief magistrate court presided over by Magistrate Aminu Abdulkadir Maiha dismissed bail applications by counsel to the defendant while a similar application at the High Court was dismissed.
At a resumed hearing on Tuesday, the judge adjourned the case till Thursday to allow the prosecution to prepare for the presentation of two compact discs containing some evidence before the court.
Lead counsel to the defendant, Desmond Adebole who appeared with nine lawyers today told journalists that it was unfortunate that the court refused his client bail even when the offense was bailable.
Adebole stated that [quotation] “The offense he is being arrested for is bailable. They are defamation of character using insulting and abusive words and inciting public disturbance. All of them are ordinarily bailable but the lower court refused the bail application. We filed a similar application before the High Court and we were surprised today the High Court too refused the application”[/quotation]
He argued that the comments made by his client were not defamatory and that if the court continued to deny him bail, they would be going to the Appeal Court.
However, Counsel to the prosecution, Barrister Abdurrahman Iliyasu declined to comment, saying he needed clearance from his superior before speaking to the press.
Meanwhile, an associate of the defendant, Sulaiman Maiha blamed the governor for witch-hunting imaginary enemies and attempting to muzzle the opposition, reminding him that he is a politician seeking for re-election in 2023 and the electorate would be there waiting for him.
