The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed the arrest of one Mr Abubakar Marshall for failing to produce the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Mr Omoyele Sowore to the Police.
Marshall was said to have stood for Sowore on bail as surety after his arrest by the police on February 24, with a promise to produce him the next day, February 25, but failed to produce him.
Sowore was arrested on February 24, following a petition of “criminal defamation, injurious falsehood publication of news known to be false contrary to section 391, 392, 393, 394, 395 and 418 of the Penal code of Northern Nigeria” by former member House of Representatives, Prince Ned Nwoko through his lawyers Trifold Law & Partners against Sahara Reporters Foundation.
The petition signed by Bryan U. Ukaegbu on behalf of the the law firm accused Sowore of several defamatory statements through his news outfit, social media handles aimed at running down their client’s business and political career.
FCT Police command Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh who confirmed the arrest of Abubakar Marshall, said the surety was charged to court over his refusal to produce Sowore. She said the police decision is in consonance with standard best practices.
Adeh said, “The Surety, Abubakar Marshall was charged to court following his failure to produce the suspect, this is in line with standard best practices.”
