A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Katsina has remanded security analyst and public affairs commentator, Dr Bashir Kurfi, in police custody over allegations that he defamed the Katsina State Government by claiming it sponsored bandit leaders to perform Hajj.
Kurfi was arraigned on Wednesday by the Katsina State Police Command on a two-count charge bordering on alleged defamation of character and injurious falsehood.
According to the First Information Report, FIR, the charges stemmed from remarks Kurfi allegedly made during an interview on Trust TV on June 24, 2026, in which he claimed that the Katsina State Government sponsored some bandit leaders to perform this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The prosecution argued that the allegation was false, malicious and capable of damaging the reputation of the state government and the people of Katsina.
Kurfi, a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following his plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand him in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations, arguing that granting bail could interfere with the probe.
Counsel to the defendant, A.D. Umar, opposed the application and urged the court to grant his client bail, insisting that Kurfi was entitled to his liberty while standing trial.
Chief Magistrate Zaharaddeen Kofar Soro ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody and directed the police to continue their investigation.
The case was adjourned until July 14, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
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