Abuja-based businessman Bala Sani, 47, has been granted bail after spending days in detention for criticising Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration.
Justice Abdulhamid Yakubu of the Gombe State High Court granted the bail at the resumed hearing of the case after reviewing the previous Magistrates’ court bail condition.
The judge ordered Sani to bring as sureties, a blood relative and a prominent person from his local government area of origin.
Sani on May 5 appeared before a Magistrates’ Court 5 on March 21, on charges of malicious falsehood and inciting disturbance.
He, however, pleaded not guilty and was remanded in prison custody by Chief Magistrate Babayo Abba Usamatu.
The court later granted him bail, but the stringent condition imposed made it impossible for the accused person to regain his freedom.
He was ordered to bring as sureties, two serving permanent secretaries in the state or two district heads, a development that kept him behind the bars for over two months.
Not satisfied with the bail condition, his lawyer, Barrister Haruna Luka, approached the court and sought for the review of the bail condition.
During the first court sitting on May 5, the presiding judge adjourned the case to May 24, in order to rule on the bail application.
