BANDITS ON HAJJ: Court remands ABU lecturer over defamation claims
A Katsina Chief Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of Dr. Bashir Kurfi, a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, following his arraignment over controversial allegations regarding government-sponsored Hajj trips for bandit leaders.
Chief Magistrate Zaharaddeen Kofar Soro gave the remand order after the Katsina State Police Command arraigned the public affairs commentator on charges of defamation of character and injurious falsehood.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) presented in court, the trouble started following an interview Dr. Kurfi granted to Trust TV on June 24, 2026.
During the broadcast, the academic claimed that the Katsina State government had sponsored the Islamic pilgrimage (Hajj) to Saudi Arabia for certain bandit kingpins.
The prosecution labeled the claims as malicious and entirely false, calculated to tarnish the image and reputation of the Katsina State government, and capable of causing disaffection and injury to the reputation of the people of Katsina.
Consequently, the police slammed the lecturer with a two-count charge under Sections 308 and 309(1) of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State.
When the charges were read to him, Dr. Kurfi firmly pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, the police prosecutor requested the court to remand the defendant in custody, arguing that releasing him on bail at this stage could potentially jeopardize ongoing investigations.
In a swift counter-argument, the defence counsel, A.D. Umar, vehemently opposed the remand application. He prayed the court to grant his client bail, emphasizing that the university lecturer is constitutionally entitled to his liberty while standing trial.
Chief Magistrate Kofar Soro directed the police to expedite their investigations and ordered that Dr. Kurfi remain in police custody.
The case has been adjourned to Monday, July 14, 2026, for the continuation of the hearing.
Speaking to journalists immediately after the court session, A.D. Umar expressed unyielding optimism, stating he was confident his client would be completely vindicated of all charges. Dr. Kurfi was subsequently escorted back to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
In an interesting twist to the unfolding drama, the minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, recently announced that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had arrested several bandit leaders returning from the Hajj pilgrimage.
According to the minister, the high-profile arrests were executed at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina—a development that materialized just days after Dr. Kurfi raised his public alarm.
