Chidi Samuel || The federal government on Thursday arraigned the Senator representing Bauchi central, Isa Misau before a high court of the federal capital territory, Abuja over alleged act of injurious falsehood against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris; a former IGP and Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr Mike Okiro; and the Nigeria Police Force.
The serving senator was charged with five counts bordering on dissemination of falsehood between August and October 2017.
He, however, pleaded not guilty when all the charges were read.
Godwin Obla, his counsel moved an oral application for his bail on the ground that Section 393(1) of the Penal Code.
According to Obla, Section 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act expressly provided for the bail of the defendant.
Objecting the oral application, Hadj Sales, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, argued that such bail application must be in writing.
The trial Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, overruled the prosecution argument on the ground that oral application was also allowed before the law.
Justice Bello, in his ruling, noted that although Obla applied for bail in self-recognisance for the defendant being a serving senator, the court was inclined to grant the application.
The bail was, however, granted with a bond of five million naira and two sureties.
The trial will begin on November 28 and 29.