Segun Onibiyo, the government critic who was arrested three weeks ago, by the police, for allegedly posting defamatory articles against Kaduna State Government led by Malam Nasir el-Rufai has been granted bail by the presiding judge of Kaduna State High Court 11, Bida Road, on Wednesday, 12 December, 2018.
Granting the bail, the Presiding Justice, Darius Kobo dismissed the application of MI Kufena, the state legal council opposing the bail application saying that the allegations against Onibiyo were bailable offense and not capital ones.
He further opined that since Nigeria is not under Military rule, Onibiyo is entitled to his freedom to enable him prepare for his defense.
Earlier, the lead counsel to the state, M.I. Kufena argued that if Onibiyo was granted bail, he would tamper with evidences amassed against him by the state but the judge would not entertain any argument on the bail application.
Kufena cited many instances and judicial proceedings on why the judge should not grant the bail but was rebuffed by a visibly angry judge who also took time to lecture the counsel on why his arguments won’t stand.
The legal tussle continued for over two hours before the judge granted Mr. Onibiyo bail with a sum of two million Naira and a surety who must have a landed property in Kaduna State and registered by KADGIS and in addition, the surety must be a director in the state service.
Speaking after the court ruling, Comrade Danjuma Sarki, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) youth leader said that he was pleased with the court ruling and vowed that Governor el-Rufai would not silence the voice of the people.
He further added that Onibiyo is the voice of the people and no one would cow or cage Onibiyo.
“We would stand by Segun Onibiyo as a brother and a comrade in the struggle against tyranny, dictatorship and impunity,” he said.
In the same vein, human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju who was just released after a week in detention, said he flew in from Abuja to Kaduna to show solidarity with Segun Onibiyo and that he and other rights activists would stand by Onibiyo to the end.
He further stated that Segun Onibiyo did no wrong and that el-Rufai did worse than
what he is accusing Onibiyo of doing.
Adeyanju urged Onibiyo’s wife to be strong and to support her husband, adding that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Source – Kaduna News Online
