Dr. John Danfulani, a former lecturer with the Kaduna
State University and outspoken critic of the
government of Governor Nasir el-Rufai, was on
Monday ranted bail after 13 days in prison without trail.
Danfulani, who resigned as a Political Science Lecturer
with Kaduna State University, KASU, after being
suspended for “embarrassing” Governor Nasir el-Rufai,
was on October 27th, 2016 arraigned at a Kaduna High
Court in a case with reference KDH/KAD/102c/2016 in
which he was charged with making “an inciting public
statement” in a facebook post he allegedly made in
December last year.
He was charged under section 417 and 418 of the
Penal Code.
Justice Bilkisu Mohammed, who presided over the
court, ordered that Danfulani be remanded in Kaduna
prisons until she returns from a seminar on November
7th, 2016, after she refused hearing a bail application
from Barrister James Kanyip, Counsel to Danfulani.
However, Justice Mohammed, Monday granted
Danfulani bail on conditions that he submits his
International Passport, and produced two sureties
each, with a proven landed property in Kaduna.
The conditions were satisfied and Danfulani was
released around 4:15pm to a crowd of relations,
friends and supporters at the gate of Kaduna prisons.
Speaking to journalists, Kanyip said, “There was no
justification for keeping my client for 13 days in prison
without trail.
“The offence under which he is charged should not
have led to this lengthy remand without bail. It is very
unfair.”
On his part, Danfulani said: “My experience in prison is
a sad one. Kaduna prison cannot reform an inmate,
but would make the person resentful of government
and harden him. The condition of the prison is not
befitting the dignity of any human being.”
