Reprimanded anti-Elrufai lecturer granted bail after 13 days in prison
//Godwin Ekosin, Kaduna//
After spending 13 days in remand, Dr John Danfulani, a critic of the government of Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state on Monday regained freedom after he was granted bail as his trial began.
The human right activist, who has earlier this year resigned his appointment as Political Science Lecturer with Kaduna State University (KASU) this year, after being suspended for “embarrassing” Governor Nasir el-Rufai, was on October 27th , 2016 arraigned at a Kaduna High Court in a case with reference KDH/KAD/102c/2016 in which he was charged with “ an inciting public statement” in a facebook post he allegedly made in December last year. He was charged under section 417 and 418 of the Penal Code.
Justice Bilkisu Mohammed, who presided over the court, had ordered that Danfulani be remanded in Kaduna prisons until she returns from a seminar on November 7th 2016, after she refused hearing a bail application from Counsel to Danfulani, Barrister James Kanyip.
However, Justice Mohammed yesterday granted Danfulani bail on conditions that he submits his International Passport, and produced two sureties each with a proven landed property in Kaduna.
The conditions were satisfied and Danfulani was released around 4:15pm yesterday to a crowd of relations, friends and supporters at the gate of Kaduna prisons.
Speaking to the Press, Kanyip said, “there was no justification for keeping my client for 13 days in prison without trail. The offence under which he is charged should not have led to this lengthy remand without bail. It is very unfair,” he said.
On his part, Danfulani said: “my experience in prison is a sad one. Kaduna prison cannot reform an inmate, but would make the person resentful of government and hardened him. The condition of the prison is not befitting the dignity of any human being.”
Danfulani was again be arraigned in Court today for the same offence he had been charged and acquitted at Chief Magistrate of court 1, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna, presided Mallam Awwalu Musa in January 2016 where the State government lost, but did not appeal.