Jigawa governor’s media aide jailed for alleged defamation of contractor.

A media aide to the Governor Jigawa StateHabibu Muhammad, has been jailed for accusing contractors of running substandard road projects in the country.

Mr. Muhammad made a statement on a radio program promoting the achievements of Governor Muhammad Badaru

Magistrate Mustapha Datti of Court No 14, Gyadi Gyadi in Kano State ordered that Mr Muhammad should be remanded in prison after the police filed charges against him following a complaint of defamation of character by the contractor, Isah Gerawa.

Mr Muhammad’s lawyer, Abdullahi Yelleman, claimed his client, Governor Muhammad Badaru’s assistant on Media Content Development, was sent to prison on January 30 without charge after he was arrested by the police in Kano.

He said he voluntarily responded to an invitation from the police without knowing that he would be taken to court from there and jailed without charge.

The lawyer said he was later charged with defamation of character and intimidation on February 2.

He said his client has pleaded not guilty.

“My client was arrested after a radio program on several road projects carried out by Mr. Gerawa’s company, which were allegedly substandard, especially from Balago to Kafin-Hausa.

“The program did not suit Mr. Gerawa and he filed a complaint at the police command in Dutse.”

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He said he could not get the police in Dutse to arrest his client, Mr. Gerawa allegedly reported the matter to the Zone 1 Command in neighboring Kano.

Mr Muhammad was featured on a popular weekly radio program in Jigawa and Kano promoting the achievements of Governor Badaru.

When reached for comment, the spokesperson of the Zone 1 Police Command, Abubakar Ambursa, said he had not been briefed on the matter.

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