By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has dismissed reports alleging the unlawful detention of one Abdulhamid Deflowerboy, describing them as misleading and aimed at inciting public sentiment.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the government clarified that Abdulhamid was lawfully invited by security agencies after a petition was filed regarding a defamatory publication he authored against the state.
According to Fanwo, the suspect voluntarily honored the police invitation, confessed to authoring the publication, and was arraigned before a competent court, which subsequently ordered his remand. He emphasized that Abdulhamid is not being detained unlawfully, but is undergoing prosecution in accordance with Nigeria’s laws on defamation.
“Defamation is a criminal offense in Nigeria, not an expression of free speech,” Fanwo stated. “It has the power to damage reputations and cause undue harm. Sadly, Abdulhamid allowed himself to be used by disgruntled political elements unwilling to accept the end of politics of patronage in Kogi.”
The government accused unnamed political actors of sponsoring misinformation to undermine Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration, which it said has earned public trust through strategic investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, power, and civil service welfare.
Fanwo expressed concern over the exploitation of youths by desperate politicians and recalled a similar case involving political activist Austin Okai, who was forgiven only after publicly apologizing.
“Justice must never be viewed through an ethnic lens,” he said. “Calling for Abdulhamid’s release because of shared ethnicity with the Governor undermines the principle of equality before the law.”
He urged young people to learn from the case and warned that those who instigate wrongdoing often abandon their pawns when consequences arise.
The statement concluded by urging the media to uphold journalistic ethics by verifying facts and avoiding sensationalism, especially in matters of legal and reputational concern.
