A security analyst and public affairs commentator, Dr Bashir Kurfi, has been arraigned before Chief Magistrates’ Court II in Katsina over allegations of defamation of character and injurious falsehood.
Kurfi pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him in court.
Speaking with journalists after the court session, his lawyer, A. D. Umar, said the arraignment followed Kurfi’s arrest on Tuesday by the Katsina State Police Command after he honoured an invitation to respond to a complaint he had earlier submitted to the police.
According to the lawyer, after honouring the invitation, the police presented him with a petition allegedly filed by the state government through the Office of Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, accusing him of defamation of character and making false allegations.
“This was the first court sitting after his arrest yesterday. The charges were read to him, and he pleaded not guilty,” the lawyer said.
He disclosed that the defence applied for bail, but the court declined the request on the grounds that police investigations were still ongoing.
“Dr Kurfi was ordered to remain in police custody til Monday when the matter will come up again,” the said.
The lawyer then urged the people to be prayerful for God’s intervention on what is happening in the country.
Recalled that Dr Kurfi was recently on live interview session in Trust TV alledged that the state government sponsored some terrorists to pilgrimage at Saudi Arabia, which the state government denied and condemned his statement.
