Former governor’s aide lands in jail for circulating false information

A Sokoto Chief Magistrate Court, on Friday, September 6, 2024, ordered the remand of Shafi’u Umar, a former Special Assistant to ex-Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, for allegedly spreading false information about Governor Ahmad Aliyu and his wife, Fatima Aliyu, on social media.

Umar, 37, faces charges of circulating injurious falsehoods and defamation. The case, which was first heard on August 26, was brought before the court by the police, who argued that his actions violated the penal code.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the offences took place on July 18. Umar is accused of circulating a video online showing the governor’s wife “spraying” money during her birthday celebration, a move the prosecution said was intended to spark outrage amidst the current economic challenges in the country. Additionally, he allegedly shared a document claiming that Governor Aliyu failed his Senior Secondary School Examination with an F9 and lacks proficiency in English.

Umar pleaded not guilty to the charges.

His lead counsel, Al’Mustafa Abubakar, applied for bail, but the prosecution objected. The defence urged the court to schedule the case for a definite hearing, arguing that the investigation should have been completed before this hearing. However, Chief Magistrate Fati Hassan ruled that a formal bail application would need to be submitted given the severity of the accusations.

In her ruling, Hassan stated that the only document presently available to the court is the FIR and, considering the nature of the charges, remanded Umar in a correctional facility pending the next hearing.

The case was adjourned until September 18, 2024.