Court Sentences PDP Leader to One-Year Imprisonment for Insulting President Buhari on Social Media

Court Sentences PDP Leader to One-Year Imprisonment for Insulting President Buhari on Social Media

  • A chief magistrate’s court sitting in Yola, Adamawa state, has concluded a hearing in a case against a PDP youth leader accused of insulting President Buhari
  • Dimas Elishama, the chief magistrate, explained why the accused, Ikamu Kato, had to be punished for his actions
  • The politician has is currently facing disciplinary action from the Peoples Democratic Party for his controversial comments

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Yola, Adamawa state - A suspended youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa state, Ikamu Kato, has been sentenced to one year imprisonment by a chief magistrate’s court IV for insulting President Muhammadu Buhari and the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

According to The Punch, the court sitting in Yola, on Monday, August 2, convicted Kato and sentenced him for the use of insulting or abusive words with an option of N25,000 fine.

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PDP youth leader jailed one year for insulting Buhari
The court said it was wrong for Kato to have used such words against the president. Photo: Femi Adesina
Source: Facebook

The chief magistrate, Dimas Elishama, gave the judgment after the accused pleaded guilty when the charge sheet was read and explained to him.

The magistrate said that the court had considered the plea of the convict to temper justice with mercy and his conduct during the trial.

However, Elishama stated that the accused would not be left to go Scot-free, but be punished to serve as a deterrent to others.

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How the youth leader was arrested

Kato was arrested and arraigned by the Department of State Services through the office of the Adamawa state attorney general for a critical Facebook video against the SGF and Buhari.

The PDP youth leader had accused both officials of failing to secure the lives of residents of his council where the SGF also hails from.

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He made the post in reaction to an attack by the Boko Haram attack on Dabna community, during which over 20 persons lost their lives.

Kato has been suspended by the Hong chapter of the PDP for using vulgar language, against the SGF, a renowned figure from the council.

Former SGF, Pius Anyim raises alarm over alleged attacks on opposition members

In another news, the PDP Ebonyi chapter has raised an alarm, alleging that its members and supporters have continuously been attacked.

The Nation reported that the PDP raised the allegation in a communique signed by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, three Ebonyi state senators Sam Egwu, Obinna Ogba, Ama Nnachi, House of Representatives members from the party and over 30 other stakeholders at the end of a meeting in Abakaliki.

In the statement, PDP alleged that the Ebonyi chapter of the Ebube Agụ security outfit has been converted into a political attack militia used to silence perceived opponents of the state government.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Kess Ewubare avatar

Kess Ewubare Kess Ewubare is a former senior political/current affairs editor at Legit.ng. He has a diploma in-law in addition to a BSc and a master’s degree in mass communication. Kess is a journalist with over 10 years of working experience in several fields of journalism ranging from radio presenting, television news reporting, newspaper reporter, feature and magazine writing as well as online and multi-media journalism.