Kwara Journalist Remanded Over Facebook Post Against Commissioner

An Ilorin Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of Tauheed Baruwa Muhammed, publisher of NUPEKOTV-Lafiagi, over a Facebook post accusing Kwara State Commissioner for Water Resources, Usman Yunusa Lade, of mismanaging a major water project in Lafiagi.

The journalist appeared in court on Wednesday after Commissioner Lade filed a complaint alleging that the post was defamatory and damaging to his reputation.

During the hearing, the magistrate directed Muhammed’s lawyer, Lere Abdul, to submit a formal bail application and adjourned the case until October 20, 2025. Muhammed was then remanded in prison custody pending the court’s decision.

The case stems from a July 2024 post in which Muhammed alleged that the commissioner lacked accountability in handling the Lafiagi waterworks rehabilitation project. Lade, however, claimed the report was false and malicious.

Court documents show that the commissioner accused the journalist of spreading defamatory content to over 27,000 followers on Facebook and other social media platforms, causing serious harm to his image.

The development has sparked outrage among residents and civil rights advocates in Kwara State, who accuse the government of using the police and judiciary to intimidate journalists and activists demanding transparency.

Lade hails from Patigi Local Government Area, one of the regions worst affected by insecurity, where locals say government attention has been minimal despite persistent attacks and kidnappings.