The Kaduna state government has filed criminal charges against Abiodun Ogunyemi, bishop of Zaria diocese, Anglican communion, over “defamatory remarks” made against Nasir el-Rufai, the governor.

Ogunyemi was arraigned before a chief magistrate’s court in Kaduna on charges bordering on criminal defamation, injurious falsehood and criminal intimidation.

The bishop had in a statement in November 2019, criticised the governor over the planned demolition of St George Cathedral in Zaria.

Ogunyemi had said the governor was being groomed to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 but he would never be president.

The government has since rescinded on its plans to demolish the 110-year-old cathedral because of its historical value.

After several interrogations from the police, Ogunyemi was arraigned with the approval of the ministry of justice.

He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

A member of the Kaduna Synod and a canon of the cathedral church of St Michael Kaduna stood in as surety.

However, the director of public prosecutions who led the state legal team told the court that there were ongoing consultations which could lead to a peaceful resolution of the case.

John Omughele, counsel to Ogunyemi conceded to the submission of the prosecution.

The magistrate has adjourned the case to October 28, 2020, for continuation.

Saao:
The short man bigotry is legendary. His hate for churches and Christianity will destroy him.

MASTAkiLLAh:
Criticize Little Finger and end up in court, in the case of Chidi Odinkalu, there wasn’t even a case file number dem just manufacture court summons anyhow

tesppidd:
Are you afraid of court?

Court is not a prison, it's only a place where people settle cases.

Saao:
The short man bigotry is legendary. His hate for churches and Christianity will destroy him.

rxmusa:
In the history of Kaduna, we've never had a governor that's responsive to the plight of Southern Kaduna and committed to ending the age-long crisis in the area than governor Elrufai, who conversely is also the most villified governor especially from the elite whose feeding bottle the governor threw away.

What comes to my mind is the crisis that erupted in southern Kaduna in 2018 when the governor was already airborne. He had to U-turn to Kaduna and spent 48 hours thereafter without sleep, going round the state for assessments and enforcement of curfew and intermittently having security meetings.

But as usual some people are committed to hating him for what he does because it never favors them
©Mukhtar Maigamo