From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A Magistrate Court sitting in Lokoja has sentenced a middle age man, Habibu Achile Rabiu to two month in imprison with payment of fine of N5,000 for contravening section 393 of Kogi State penal code for posting false information on his Facebook timeline.
Rabiu who was standing trial at Magistrate Court 3 over the comments on on his Facebook timeline that the rate at which fever was killing people in the state was alarming, particularly during the heat of Covid 19 pandemic in the country.
The Department of State Security, DSS subsequently arrested Rabiu and charged him to the court.
The Prosecuting Counsel , Mr. M.A Abaji argued that the defendant acted contrary to section 393 of Kogi State penal code by intimidating people , creating fear and inciting people against the state government.
Abaji stated that defendant has also raised false alarm in the state against the back drop of normal rate of death amidst Covid 19 pandemic in 2020.
He pointed that the state Epidemiologist was invited to testify to ascertain Rabiu claims , noting that the State Epidemiologist mologist said that as at the he post on the Facebook time the death rate was normal contrary to Rabiu’s believe .
The defense Counsel, E .A Iwu argued that the defendant acted based on emotion after the death of his sister as a rest malarial fever as that moment.
He started that his client was pained and in a sad mood when he posted that the rate at which fever is killing people is alarming
Trial Magistrate , Chief Magistrate, A.A .Agatha in her judgement sentenced to two months with option of fine in addition to payment of N5,000.
She explained Rabiu action by post on his Facebook timeline has contravened section 393 of Kogi State Penal code by raising false alarm.
The defendant was said to have paid N5,000 before he was moved to prison custody.
