The bishop of Zaria diocese, Anglican communion, Abiodun Ogunyemi, has been arraigned before a chief magistrate’s court in Kaduna over “defamatory remarks” made against the state governor, Nasir el-Rufai.
His arraignment on August 4, followed criminal charges filed against him by the Kaduna state government.
The charges bordered on criminal defamation, injurious falsehood and criminal intimidation.
The bishop’s travail arose from a letter of appeal he sent to the Governor in September 2019 following government’s directive that the Cathedral Church of St George in Zaria should be demolished.
Copies of the letter were forwarded to the Commissioner of Police and Director of State Security Services.
Following other protests from Church members and stakeholders, the government in a newspaper publication rescinded the order to destroy the Cathedral.
The Cathedral was said to have been on the said premises for 110 years.
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Meanwhile, the bishop was said to have criticised the governor over the planned demolition of St George Cathedral in Zaria in a statement in November 2019.
Ogunyemi had allegedly said the governor was being groomed to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 but that he would never be president.
After several interrogations from the police, Ogunyemi was arraigned with the approval of the ministry of justice.
He 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, the 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.
John Omughele, counsel to Ogunyemi conceded to the submission of the prosecution.
Consequently, the magistrate adjourned the case to October 28, 2020, for continuation.
