Photo Credit: The Sun Nigeria / Facebook (Contested political graphic as published in original report)
Kebbi Court Convicts, Remands Man for Forgery, Defamation of Budget Commissioner

An Upper Shari’a Court 3, Takalau in Birnin Kebbi has convicted and remanded one Salim Abubakar, also known as “Shekare”, for forgery, defamation and breach of public peace.

Abubakar, who is from Illela area of Kalgo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, was arraigned on Friday before the court presided over by Kadi Samaila Alhaji-Noma.

The case was instituted following a petition by the Kebbi State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abba Sani-Kalgo, who asked the police to investigate the accused.

According to the charges read in court, the offences contravened Sections 373, 374, 348 and 79(1) of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021.

Prosecuting officer, Cpl. Faruk Abdullahi, told the court that the accused allegedly created and published a political graphic on his Facebook account bearing the Commissioner’s name and photograph alongside the logo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), creating the impression that Sani-Kalgo had defected to the ADC. The material was later circulated across other social media platforms.

When the charges were read, Abubakar pleaded guilty to all counts, after which the court convicted him accordingly.

Counsel Mudashiru Sale appeared for the complainant in a watching-brief capacity.

Following the conviction, the prosecution applied for an adjournment to prepare its submission on sentencing, a request supported by the complainant’s counsel.

In his ruling, Kadi Alhaji-Noma granted the application pursuant to Section 305 of the Kebbi State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2021, to allow the prosecution adequate time and enable the court to deliver a well-considered judgment.

The matter was adjourned to September 18, 2026, for judgment, while the convict was ordered to be remanded in a correctional facility pending judgment.
Source: The Sun Nigeria –