Court grants MM, brother bail over alleged defamation against Gov AbdulRazaq

A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Monday granted bail to a former federal lawmaker, Hon. Moshood Mustapha, and his brother, Bolakale Mustapha, over allegations bordering on defamation and incitement against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The two brothers were arraigned before Justice Abdulmahmud Gafar on a five-count charge filed by the State Government through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ayoola Muhammed Akande.

According to the charges, the defendants were accused of uploading and circulating a five-minute, forty-one-second video containing offensive, insulting, and derogatory remarks allegedly targeted at the governor.

The prosecution also alleged that the first defendant instituted a case at the Federal High Court based on false claims.

The State, through the DPP, urged the court to remand the duo in a correctional facility, arguing that their bail application was not ripe for hearing and that the charges were serious and not ordinarily bailable.

However, counsels to the defendants, Kayode Olatoke (SAN) and M.A. Ebuke, argued in separate submissions that the alleged offences were bailable and urged the court to grant their clients bail pending trial.

In a brief ruling, Justice Gafar held that while the offences were bailable but not pardonable, and subsequently granted bail to the Mustaphas in the sum of five million Naira each with one surety in like sum.

The matter has been adjourned to the 18th of next month for continuation of hearing.