Mr Saliu Bio of Ilorin Magistrates’ Court on Friday ordered the remand of two journalists in Oke-kura Custodian Centre over alleged defamation and inciting public against the Kwara Government and functionaries.
The detained newsmen are Messrs Dare Akogun and Abdulrasheed Akogun, both members of the Online media association in the state.
The magistrate adjourned the matter to Oct. 19, for further mention.
The Prosecutor, Nasir Yusuf, had prayed the court for another date of adjournment pending the determination of police investigation over the matter.
He informed the court of the motion exparte attached to the police report seeking the remand of the suspects and the 11 paragraph affidavit deposed to, which was attached to it.
Magistrate Salihu, who precided over the matter, however turned down Mr Kehinde Eleja’s appearance for the suspects, saying according to the Kwara State laws, he (Magistrate) lack jurisdiction to hear him being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Our correspondent reports that a drama ensued at the premises of the Kwara State Magistrates’ Court as the Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP) insisted that remand warrant must be provided before detaining their colleagues.
But they were eventually taken away by officials of the Correctional Service based on the court order.
Recalls that Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, had petitioned the Commissioner of Police accusing the duo of defamation and inciting public against the government.
Ajakaye said Abdulrasheed posted a comment on a popular WhatsApp platform, Kwara Commission, accusing government of the day of being most corrupt and of facilitating N15 million to prosecute the last election of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Kwara State Council.