Bauchi: Police apprehend final-year law student for alleged online harassment, character defamation

Adeyanju Esther

In a significant development that underscores the growing concerns over online defamation and harassment, The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended a 34-year-old final-year Law student of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Usman Adamu, for alleged involvement in defaming a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the state, CSP Danladi Mohammed, on Facebook.

According to a statement released by the spokesman of the Bauchi State Police Command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, Adamu stands accused of making derogatory statements against CSP Danladi Mohammed on his Facebook page, thereby tarnishing the officer’s reputation and character.

The arrest came after Adamu confessed to the online publication during police interrogation, admitting that he had based his statements on hearsay without a thorough investigation of the situation. The statement from SP Wakil highlighted the sequence of events leading to Adamu’s arrest.

It was revealed that the incident prompting Adamu’s defamatory remarks occurred on April 2, when one AbdulmumuniLiman, also known as Kwakiya, allegedly assaulted and inflicted injuries on another individual over a land dispute. The police received a complaint about the incident, prompting an investigation into the matter.

The situation escalated when a mob gathered in solidarity with the complainant, leading to a physical confrontation between the two sides. However, the timely intervention of a police team, led by DPO CSP Danladi Mohammed, helped resolve the conflict and prevent further escalation.

Despite the resolution of the situation, Adamu’s defamatory remarks on Facebook sparked concerns about potential misinformation and its implications for community peace and security. Consequently, Adamu was arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, in accordance with directives from the Commissioner of Police.

In a public apology posted on his Facebook page on April 8, Adamu expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging his mistake and seeking forgiveness from the authorities and specifically from CSP Danladi Mohammed. He emphasized the fallibility of human nature and urged individuals to disregard his previous statements.

The arrest of Adamu serves as a cautionary tale regarding the consequences of online harassment and defamation, highlighting the need for responsible use of social media platforms and adherence to ethical standards in communication. As the investigation progresses, authorities remain vigilant in upholding justice and ensuring the protection of individuals’ reputations from unwarranted attacks.