The Kogi State Government has dismissed social media claims suggesting that Abdulhamid Deflowerboy, the author of a controversial post against the state, is being detained without trial. In a press statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the government said the narrative is misleading and intended to deceive the public.
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According to the statement, Abdulhamid was legally invited by the police following a petition from the state government, and upon voluntarily appearing before law enforcement, he confessed to being the author of the defamatory material. He was subsequently charged to court and remanded by a competent court of law.
“Claims that he is being detained without trial are false, baseless, and intended to mislead the public,” the statement read.
The government stressed that defamation remains a criminal offence under Nigerian law and should not be mistaken for freedom of expression. It also alleged that Abdulhamid was being used by political actors opposed to the current administration’s policies under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“These individuals, who once benefited from politics of patronage, now struggle to accept the new era of governance where public funds are used for public good,” the statement added.
The statement further highlighted the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and civil service welfare, asserting that the ongoing development efforts have earned the trust of the people.
It also drew a parallel with a similar past incident involving another critic, Austin Okai, who later apologized after facing legal action. The government criticized calls for Abdulhamid’s release based on ethnic sentiments, describing them as an insult to justice and equity.
“Justice must never be based on ethnic considerations. What is good for the goose is good for the gander,” the statement noted.
It warned young people against being used as pawns by desperate political actors, noting that Abdulhamid has already been abandoned by those who incited him.
“The Government of Kogi State remains committed to defending the integrity and image of the state and her people. This case will run its full legal course,” Fanwo stated.
He urged journalists and media outlets to adhere to the ethics of responsible journalism by verifying facts before publishing, stressing that individuals must be ready to defend any allegations made against the government.
