Court Remands Ex-Radda Aide Over Alleged Criminal Defamation

By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times

A former Special Assistant to Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, Hon. Imrana Ahmad Randawa, was on Wednesday arraigned before Senior Magistrate Court No. 5, GRA, Katsina, over an alleged case of criminal defamation filed by the Chairman of Gwagware Foundation, Alhaji Yusuf Ali Musawa.

During the proceedings, the court registrar read the charges contained in the First Information Report (FIR), which alleged that Randawa made and published defamatory statements against the complainant on social media, including Facebook.

After the charges were read, the presiding magistrate adjourned the case until September 2, 2026, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody pending the next hearing.

Speaking to Katsina Times after the court session, counsel to the defendant, Muhammad Mukhtar Lawal, argued that the Senior Magistrate Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case.

According to the lawyer, the FIR alleged that Randawa claimed that about ₦3 billion was raised during a meeting of the Gwagware Foundation, an allegation the complainant considered defamatory.

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Lawal said the defence had received all the court processes served on it and would approach the High Court to challenge the jurisdiction of the Senior Magistrate Court.

“Our position is that this court lacks the jurisdiction to hear this matter. We have received all the relevant court documents and will approach the High Court to seek appropriate legal remedies, including an application for bail for our client,” he said.

The defence counsel expressed confidence that the High Court would grant his client bail, maintaining that the alleged offence is one for which bail is ordinarily available under the law.

The case was adjourned to September 2, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.