Kano Magistrate Court Orders Nigerian Police to Investigate  Criminal Complaint against WikkiTtimes

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Haruna Mohammed Salisu
Publisher of WikkiTimes

Magistrate Auwal Yusuf Suleiman delivered the ruling where he dismisses the objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain a criminal complaint filed by S.A.T Engineering Service Ltd, Insulum Nigeria Ltd, Haitel Nigeria Ltd and Alhaji Surajo Sani Marsha on October 27, 2022 against Mr. Ojonicko and Wikkitimes for the offence of defamation of character contrary to the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015; section 393 of the Penal Code Law Kano State; and Order 107 ACJA Kano State over a story published by Wikkitimes on August 31, 2022.

The Court, after declaring that it has jurisdiction to sit over the matter, made an order directing the Nigerian Police Force, Kano State to conduct a discreet investigation against Mr. Ojonicko and Wikkitimes over the allegations leveled against them.

S.A.T Engineering Service Ltd, M. Sulum Nigeria Ltd, Haitel Nigeria Ltd and Alhaji Surajo Marshal in their criminal complaint had accused Mr. Ojonicko and Wikkitimes of committing the offence of defamation of character under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention ETC) Act, 2015 and Penal Code Law of Kano State.

At the last adjourned date, January 25, 2023, Mr. Aliyu had objected to the reading of the complaint to Mr. Ojonicko and Wikkitimes on the ground that the court lacks the jurisdiction to adjudicate over a complaint made pursuant to the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act 2015 because it is a Federal Act and only the Federal High Court has jurisdiction to sit over an action brought pursuant to the Cybercrime Act. Subsequently, the court adjourned the matter to February 15, 2023 for ruling on the objection. On February 15, 2023, the court in dismissing the objection raised by Mr. Aliyu ruled that it has jurisdiction to adjudicate over the criminal complaint assumed and subsequently ordered the Nigerian Police Force to conduct a discreet investigation into the criminal complaint made against Mr. Ojonicko and Wikkitimes