Gombe court grants man accused of defaming APC gov candidate bail

Suleiman Dawawu, who faces charges of defamation and injurious falsehood, has been granted bail by the Gombe Chief Magistrate Court No. 1. Dawawu is accused of making defamatory statements against Dr. Jamil Gwamna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Gombe State.

The arraignment before Magistrate Musa Kilawa detailed allegations of Dawawu publishing statements on Facebook on July 28, 2026. These posts, allegedly made with Abba Pantami and Hafiz Kabade who are currently at large, claimed Gwamna had been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged fraud involving funds from the Kano Electricity Distribution Company. The prosecution contends these statements were made with the intent to harm Gwamna's reputation.

Dawawu pleaded not guilty to the charges, which contravene Sections 79, 391, and 393 of the Penal Code Law. His counsel argued for bail, citing constitutional rights to the presumption of innocence. Magistrate Kilawa granted Dawawu bail and adjourned the case for further proceedings. Pantami and Kabade remain fugitives.