A magistrate court sitting in Bauchi State has remanded Haruna Mohammed Salisu, publisher of WikkiTimes after spending over 72 hours in detention.
WikkiTimes reports that Haruna was arrested by police in Duguri, Alkaleri local council where he was covering elections.
Haruna is standing a one-count charge bordering on section 114 of the penal code which interprets to inciting disturbance of public peace.
Counsel for WikkiTimes, Idris Gambo applied for Haruna’s bail, contending that the alleged offense for which he’s being charged is bailable.
But Haruna Ibrahim, who was sent from the Attorney General’s office to take over the case from the police prosecutor, opposed to Gambo’s application.
He stated that section 211 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) gives a right to Attorney General to take over a case from the police.
In addition, counsel for the state government argued that it opposed the application in the interest of WikkiTimes publisher. He added that some people outside want to take the law into their hands.
According to him, Haruna could be killed if granted a bail. WikkiTimes had earlier reported that Haruna was lynched by some hoodlums. This was before the police took him away under the pretence of protecting him.
However, Gambo, WikkiTimes’ counsel objected to his colleague’s arguments.
He told the court that the government and the police should go after those who wanted to come after his client.
“The authority should instead go against those who wanted to take the law into their hands and not imprison the threatened citizen,” he argued.
Ahmad Tijani Musa, the presiding magistrate, however, ruled that Haruna be remanded in prison facility and adjourned the case till tomorrow for judgement on the bail application.
