Harry Archie
A court in Katsina has ordered that Dr. Bashir Kurfi, a lecturer and public affairs commentator, be kept in police custody over allegations of defamation.
Dr. Kurfi, who teaches at Ahmadu Bello University, was taken to the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Katsina by the state police command.
The police accused him of making false and harmful statements against the Katsina State Government during an interview with Trust TV on June 24, 2026.
According to the police report, Dr. Kurfi allegedly claimed that the Katsina State Government sponsored Hajj trips for some bandit leaders.
The police said the statement was false and could damage the reputation of the government and the people of the state.
He was charged under Sections 308 and 309(1) of the Katsina State Penal Code Law.
When the charges were read to him, Dr. Kurfi denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
The police asked the court to keep him in custody while investigations continued, saying releasing him on bail could affect their work.
However, his lawyer, A.D. Umar, asked the court to grant him bail, arguing that his client had the right to freedom while the case was ongoing.
Chief Magistrate Zaharaddeen Kofar Soro ordered that the police continue their investigation and directed that Dr. Kurfi remain in custody until the next hearing.
The case was adjourned until Monday, July 14, 2026.
After the court session, the defence lawyer said he was confident that Dr. Kurfi would be cleared of the allegations.
Dr. Kurfi was later taken back to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Katsina State Police Command.
The development came days after the lecturer made the allegation.
Later, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that the Department of State Services had arrested some suspected bandit leaders returning from Hajj.
The minister said the arrests were made at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport.
