Wikkitimes Publisher, Haruna Mohammed, drags to court by Police

From Paul Orude Bauchi

Haruna Mohammed, publisher of Wikki Times, an online investigative newspaper, has been dragged to court by the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police for alleged  disturbance of public peace.

The 32-year-old journalist was arrested in Duguri, the governor, Senator Bala Mohammed’s  hometown in Alkaleri Local Government of Bauchi State on Saturday during the Presidential election.

Mohammed was whisky away  from the governor’s hometown by  Police operatives and detained at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Bauchi Police Headquarters allegedly on orders of the State Governor since Saturday.

On Tuesday, the Chief Magistrate Court three presided over by Ahmed Musa ordered the journalist to be remanded in prison. Although there is no specific complainant the First Information Report (FIR) indicated that the journalist allegedly incited disturbance of public peace.

The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police alleged that the journalist hired some women to incite disturbance by instigating them to make utterances that would prejudice the peace and well being of intended voters at the polling unit in Duguri ward of Alkaleri LGA,.

It also alleged blackmail of the incumbent Governor in his ward contrary to section 114 of the Penal Code. 

When the case was mentioned the accused denied all the charges. His counsel sought for bail application for the accused.

Counsel to the State Attorney General who decline to comment on the case with journalists, had  ,announced appearance from the Ministry of Justice.

He announced that the Attorney General.will like to take over the case from the Police and continue with the case as contained in the 1999 constitution. 

The presiding magistrate adjourn the case to tomorrow Wednesday 1st March 2023 to enable him rule on the bail application