The Anglican bishop of Zaria diocese, Abiodun Ogunyemi, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s court in Kaduna over alleged ‘defamatory remarks’ he made against Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai.
The Bishop who was arraigned on charges bordering on criminal defamation, injurious falsehood and criminal intimidation, had criticised the governor over the planned demolition of 110-year-old St George Cathedral in Zaria.
In a statement released in November 2019, Ogunyemi said that El-Rufai will never be president even though he is being groomed to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
However upon being arraigned on, the Biship pleaded not guilty and was granted bail. A member of the Kaduna Synod and a canon of the cathedral church of St Michael Kaduna stood in as surety.
However, Director of Public Prosecutions, who led the state legal team, told the court that there were ongoing consultations, which could lead to a peaceful resolution of the case.
The magistrate subsequently adjourned the case to October 28, 2020 for continuation.