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Journalist remanded in prison for allegedly blackmailing Bauchi governor

A 32-year-old Journalist Haruna Mohammed Salisu has been remanded in Correctional Facility for allegedly inciting disturbance of public peace and blackmailing Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed .

Haruna, the publisher of Wikki Times, was sent on remand by the Chief Magistrate of Magistrate’s Court three Ahmed Musa in Bauchi.

The publisher was sued by the State Commissioner of Police who alleged that the accused person hired some women to incite disturbance by instigating them to make utterances that will prejudice the peace and wellbeing of the intended voters at the polling unit in Duguri ward of Alkaleri LGA.

It also blackmailed the incumbent Governor in his ward contrary to section 114 of the Penal Code.

When the case was mentioned the accused denied all the charges

Counsel to the accused SG Idrees sought for bail application of the accused.

Counsel from the office of the State Attorney-General Haruna Mohammed ,announced appearance from the Ministry of Justice and announced that the AG will like to take over the case from the Police and continue with the case as contained in the 1999 constitution.

The presiding magistrate adjourned the case to tomorrow Wednesday 1st March 2023 to enable him rule on the bail application

Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest and detention of Haruna Mohammed, Publisher of Wikki Times, an online newspaper. 

On Saturday, policemen from Duguri in Bauchi whisked away Mohammed, and detained him at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bauchi Police Headquarters, allegedly on the order of the State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

An eyewitness who craved anonymity told our reporter that Haruna was interviewing some women who were protesting that they had submitted their résumés but were not employed when he was arrested.

“It was during the course of the interview that the women started protesting that they would not vote.”

“Immediately, some hoodlums alleged to be supporters of the governor attempted to beat Haruna before the police intervened and whisked him away,” the source said.

When contacted, Bauchi Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Wakil, said, “The police actually received a formal complaint that a journalist was inciting the electorate during Saturday’s general elections.”

Wakil explained that the police was investigating a case of public incitement reported against Mohammed, adding, “That was why we quickly intervened to ensure we maintain law and order, especially at this period.”

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