How Things Work In Nigeria; You Make An Allegation That Should Be Investigated, They Charge You In Place Of Investigating The Allegation 1st!

Yesterday, Senator Isah Misau representing Bauchi Central senatorial district was arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja.

He was arraigned on charges of injurious falsehood against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris; a former IGP and Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Mike Okiro; and the Nigeria Police Force.  

The Federal Government charged the senator with five counts bordering on dissemination of falsehood and against Mr Idris, the Police Service Commission, and the police between August and October 2017.

Misau, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.  His counsel, Godwin Obla, further moved an oral application for his bail on the ground that Section 393(1) of the Penal Code under which he was charged carried a maximum of two years punishment upon conviction.  

Obla added that Section 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act expressly provided for the bail of the defendant.  Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr. Hadj Sales, objected to the oral application and argued that such bail application must be in writing.

Justice Bello, in his ruling, said although Obla applied for bail in self-recognizance for the defendant being a serving senator, the court was inclined to grant the application but with a bail bond of five million naira and two sureties.  He then fixed November 28 and 29 for trial