Adamawa state gov’t, magistrate slam 2-yrs jail term to PDP Youth leader for insulting Buhari, SGF

The youth leader of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Hong local government of Adamawa State, Ikamu Hamidu Kato, was today sentenced to two years in jail for insulting president Muhammadu Buhari and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

A Chief Magistrate Court IV sitting in Yola, presided by Magistrate Dimas Elishama, has found the youth leader guilty of using insulting and abusive words on leaders and inciting public disturbance.

The court then sentenced Kato to one year jail term on each of the offences with an option of N25,000 fine on each offense.

The presiding judge said in passing the sentence, the court had considered the remorseful mien of the convict and his plea for mercies.

But Elishama said despite his show of remorse and plea for mercies, the court has to convict him to serve as deterrent to others.

Earlier, the convict pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy by convicting him with an option of fine because he is a family man and has orphans under him.

The 41-year-old, youth leader has in the ignominious footage described Buhari and Boss Mustapha as useless human beings and specifically called SGF a bastard and a dog in a video he posted on social media on the 10th July, 2021, which went viral.

He was later invited, investigated and arraigned before the court by the Department of State Security (DSS) through the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner Ministry for Justice in the state for prosecution on Friday last week.

Upon his arraignment before the court on Friday last week, the convict pleaded guilty when the charge sheet was read and explained to him.

The court then adjourned the matter to Monday the 2nd August, 2021 to enable the complainant call witnesses and tender exhibits in order to corroborate the plea of the defendant following an application by counsel to the complainant, M.A. Adamu.

During court sitting on Monday, M. A. Adamu, assembled 2 witnesses including Operative of the DSS, Zayyanu Adamu and Chairman Adamawa State Concern Citizens, Husseini Gambo Nakura who testified and tendered confessional statement of the defendant and flash drive.

To show its disapproval of his action, the Hong local government chapter of the PDP has suspended the youth leader saying it will not allow such level of indiscipline by its members even against leaders of the opposition political parties.