A Sokoto Chief Magistrate Court has granted bail to Shafi’u Umar, who is on trial for allegedly spreading false information about Governor Ahmad Aliyu and his wife on social media.
Umar, 37, a former Special Assistant to ex-Governor Aminu Tambuwal, faces charges of disseminating defamatory content against the current governor and his wife.
The prosecution alleges that Umar circulated a video showing the governor’s wife, Fatima Aliyu, distributing money at her birthday celebration, despite the economic difficulties faced by citizens.
Umar, who has pleaded not guilty, was previously held in a correctional center. Following a bail application by his lead defense counsel, Al’Mustafa Abubakar, Judge Fatima Hassan granted bail in the amount of N1 million, with a surety of the same amount.
The judge stipulated that the surety must be a Sokoto resident and must provide their national identity card along with two passport-sized photographs.
The case was adjourned to October 10, 2024, to allow the prosecution to complete its investigation as promised by the police prosecutor. Umar will remain in custody until he fulfills the bail conditions.