Man, 27, docked for alleged defamation of character

A 27-year-old man, Ibrahim Saidu, was on Wednesday docked before a Kubwa Magistrates’ Court in Abuja for alleged defamation of character.

The police charged Saidu with criminal intimidation and defamation of character.

The Prosecution Counsel, SP Babajide Olanipekun told the court that the complainant, Emmanuel Omeke reported the matter at the Kubwa Police Station on July 14.

Olanipekun alleged that the defendant called the complainant a rapist and violently threatened to kill him, thereby putting him in a state of fear, and body injury.

He said that the defendant, who is a neighbour to the complainant’s younger brother, defamed his character without any provocation.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 397 and 391 of the Penal Code.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The defence counsel, Naomi Abang, moved a bail application for the defendant in the interest of justice.

Abang cited section 36(5) of the 1999 constitution which presumes the defendant innocent until proven guilty, adding that the matter before the court were mere allegations.

The prosecution counsel, however, told the court to consider the weight of the alleged offence and the likelihood of the defendant exceeding trial if granted bail.

The Magistrate, Oyepeju Mustapha granted the defendant N500,000 bail with two sureties resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

Mustapha said one of the sureties must be a civil servant, and the other must have a means of livelihood.

She said the sureties must produce means of identification and their addresses verified by the court’s registrar.

She also ordered the defendant to enter a bond to maintain peace and adjourned the matter until July 31 for a hearing.