Court Denies Bail To Politician Remanded For Criticising Adamawa Governor, Fintiri

A Magistrate Court has denied bail to a politician, Abubakar Lawan Uba, who has been in remand for more than 30 days for allegedly insulting the Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
Uba has been in detention for over a month after he was accused of sharing videos in which he claimed Fintiri betrayed those who helped him win the election in 2019.
The chief magistrate court presided over by Magistrate Aminu Abdulkadir Maiha dismissed the bail application by the counsel to the defendant while a similar application at the High Court was dismissed.
At a resumed hearing on Tuesday, the judge adjourned the case till Thursday to allow the prosecution to prepare to present two compact discs containing some evidence before the court.
The lead counsel to the defendant, Desmond Adebole, who appeared with nine lawyers, told newsmen that it was unfortunate that the court refused his client bail even when the offence was bailable.
"The offence he is being arrested for is bailable. They are defamation of character using insulting and abusive words and inciting public disturbance. They are ordinarily available, but the lower court refused the bail application. We filed a similar application before the High Court, and we were surprised today that the High Court refused the application", Adebole said.
He argued that the comments made by his client were not defamatory and that if the court continued to deny him bail, they would be going to the Appeal Court.
However, Counsel to the prosecution, Barrister Abdurrahman Iliyasu, declined comment, saying he needed clearance from his superior before speaking to the press.
Meanwhile, an associate of the defendant, Sulaiman Maiha blamed the governor for witch-hunting imaginary enemies and attempting to muzzle the opposition, reminding him that he would seek re-election in 2023 and the electorate would be there waiting for him.