Man arraigned over defamation of Plateau governor

A 26-year-old man, Samuel Bature, was on Monday arraigned before Justice Cyril Kamal of High Court 8, Jos, on a three-count charge bordering on defamation and cyber-stalking against Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State. Reading the three-count charge to the defendant, the clerk said, ‘’You Samuel Bature, male, 26 years old together with others, now […]

A 26-year-old man, Samuel Bature, was on Monday arraigned before Justice Cyril Kamal of High Court 8, Jos, on a three-count charge bordering on defamation and cyber-stalking against Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State.

Reading the three-count charge to the defendant, the clerk said, ‘’You Samuel Bature, male, 26 years old together with others, now at large on or about 17/09/2024 at opposite NTA College, Rayfield, Jos South LGA within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without any lawful or moral justification made and published a defamatory statement against His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“That you, Samuel Bature, male, 26 years old together with others now at large on or about 17/09/2024 at opposite NTA College Rayfield, Jos South LGA within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without any lawful or moral justification made and published false statement of fact intending to harm the reputation of His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.

“That you, Samuel Bature, male, 26 years, and others now at large on or about 17/09/2024 at opposite NTA College Rayfield, Jos South LGA of Plateau State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without any legal justification, posted on Facebook and WhatsApp that “Governor Mutfwang and his party, the PDP’s desperation seems to have reached a crescendo at recent, with the uncovered plan to remove the APC House of Assembly members.”

According to the clerk, the statements by the defendant are defamatory and cyber-staking contrary to sections 372, 373 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State 2017 and Section 24(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, 2015.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges and the prosecution counsel, who is the Attorney-General of Plateau State, Phelimon Dafi, asked for a short adjournment to call witnesses to prove his case.

Responding, counsel for the defendant, H. M. Dashe Esq., told the court he had no problem with that but that he filed an application for bail which was already served on the prosecution and expressed his desire to move same.

But the prosecution counsel told the court he wasn’t ready for the fact that the said application was served on it in the morning of Monday just a minute before court session and therefore, needed time to file their counter affidavit.

Consequently, the matter was adjourned until Friday, October 4, for hearing.