• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
  • E-Book
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
  • E-Book
Home National CISLAC Applauds Court’s Decision, Criticizes Kwara Magistrate’s Handling of Defamation Case
  • National

CISLAC Applauds Court’s Decision, Criticizes Kwara Magistrate’s Handling of Defamation Case

By
Prnigeria
-
February 23, 2024

CISLAC Applauds Court’s Decision, Criticizes Kwara Magistrate’s Handling of Defamation Case

The recent acquittal of journalists Alfred Olufemi and Gidado Shuaib by the Kwara State High Court has been hailed as a triumph for press freedom by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).

In a statement issued on Friday, the civil society organization praised the High Court’s decision while simultaneously criticizing the trial magistrate, AS Muhammad, and the police for their involvement in what the high court judges described as a “shoddy trial.”

The Kwara State High Court made a landmark ruling by overturning the conviction of journalists Alfred Olufemi and Gidado Shuaib, who had been charged with defamation following the publication of an article about Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industries Limited.

The report, published in News Digest in 2018, detailed how the company’s staff members allegedly smoked Indian hemp freely within its premises, violating relevant laws and health regulations.

Read Also:

  • Uba Sani Releases ₦2.3bn for Retirees and Families of Deceased Workers
  • Group Urges CBN to Scrap 2% Service Charge on Hajj Fare to Reduce Pilgrimage Cost
  • NDLEA Dismantles Cocaine Cartels Behind UK Shipments, Arrests Suspects, Destroys 25,000kg Skunk Nationwide

In his verdict, the trial magistrate, A.S. Muhammad, found the journalists guilty of criminal conspiracy and defamation, subsequently sentencing them to two months imprisonment with an option of fine.

However, the journalists appealed the ruling, pointing out flaws in the prosecution’s case and criticizing the magistrate’s handling of the trial.

Following the appellate court’s decision, CISLAC’s Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Rafsanjani, applauded the acquittal of the journalists but criticized the conduct of the trial.

The group raised concerns about the “shoddy and shady” police investigation, which it believes misled the magistrate and led to the wrongful conviction of the journalists.

In response to these developments, the civic group called for a thorough investigation into the handling of the case and urged authorities to hold accountable those responsible for the miscarriage of justice.

Emphasizing the importance of upholding press freedom and ensuring the integrity of the judicial process in Nigeria, CISLAC stated, “The acquittal of Alfred Olufemi and Gidado Shuaib has been hailed as a victory for press freedom, but concerns remain about the conduct of the trial and the role of the judiciary. CISLAC hereby calls for accountability and transparency in the legal system to prevent similar injustices in the future.”

By PRNigeria

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Alfred Olufemi
  • CISLAC
  • Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre
  • Court
  • Gidado Shuaib
Previous articleMarwa Inspects Yola Barrack Project, Hails Tinubu’s Commitment to Drug War
Next articleReforms: FG Directs Security Agencies to go after Saboteurs
Prnigeria
Prnigeria
Xing

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Hajj Exercise Around Ka'abah

Group Urges CBN to Scrap 2% Service Charge on Hajj Fare to Reduce Pilgrimage Cost

NDLEA Logo

NDLEA Dismantles Cocaine Cartels Behind UK Shipments, Arrests Suspects, Destroys 25,000kg Skunk Nationwide

ACF

ACF Warns of Alleged Plot to Cripple Dangote Refinery, Urges FG Intervention

GWA Award Winners 2025

PHOTOS: Nigeria Customs, IMPR Bag Back-to-Back Golden World Award at IPRA 70th Anniversary

Troops Nab Terrorists’ Logistics, Drug Suppliers in Borno

S/Arabia-Trained Graduates to Begin Forum on Sustainable Development

Over 100 Jerrycans of Petrol Seized as Police Foil Smuggling to Niger Republic

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun

STEP-BY-STEP: How to Apply for New Digital Tinted Glass Permit as Police Begin Enforcement

Nigerian Army

Military Arrests 16 Officers Over Indiscipline, Breach of Service Rules

DG NITDA Mallam Inuwa Kashifu and ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu

NITDA, ICPC Form Joint Task Force to Combat Corruption in Government IT Projects

National Disunity Fuels Insurgency, Says Ex-NSA Monguno

Obasanjo Calls for Collective Strategy to Defeat Boko Haram, Tackle Insecurity

Recent Posts

  • Uba Sani Releases ₦2.3bn for Retirees and Families of Deceased Workers
  • Group Urges CBN to Scrap 2% Service Charge on Hajj Fare to Reduce Pilgrimage Cost
  • NDLEA Dismantles Cocaine Cartels Behind UK Shipments, Arrests Suspects, Destroys 25,000kg Skunk Nationwide
  • Kano Gov’t Investigates Alleged Diversion of N4bn Dala Inland Dry Port Funds
  • ACF Warns of Alleged Plot to Cripple Dangote Refinery, Urges FG Intervention
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Uba Sani Releases ₦2.3bn for Retirees and Families of Deceased WorkersGroup Urges CBN to Scrap 2% Service Charge on Hajj Fare to Reduce Pilgrimage CostNDLEA Dismantles Cocaine Cartels Behind UK Shipments, Arrests Suspects, Destroys 25,000kg Skunk NationwideKano Gov't Investigates Alleged Diversion of N4bn Dala Inland Dry Port FundsACF Warns of Alleged Plot to Cripple Dangote Refinery, Urges FG InterventionTroops Neutralise Terrorists, Repel Boko Haram Attack in BornoPHOTOS: Nigeria Customs, IMPR Bag Back-to-Back Golden World Award at IPRA 70th AnniversaryTroops Nab Terrorists’ Logistics, Drug Suppliers in BornoS/Arabia-Trained Graduates to Begin Forum on Sustainable DevelopmentChristian Genocide and the Conspiracy against Nigeria By Femi Fani-KayodeWe Arrested 450 Terrorists, Rescued 180 Abducted Victims in One Month - MilitaryOver 100 Jerrycans of Petrol Seized as Police Foil Smuggling to Niger RepublicNAFDAC Seals Chinese Supermarkets, Cosmetics Shops in AbujaMining Marshals Arrests 5 Illegal Miners in Niger, Seize LogisticsSTEP-BY-STEP: How to Apply for New Digital Tinted Glass Permit as Police Begin Enforcement
X whatsapp