Bauchi NDC governorship candidate responds to bench warrant over alleged defamation

The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Bauchi State for the 2027 election, Barrister Ibrahim Kashim, has reacted to a bench warrant issued against him by a Chief Magistrate Court in Bauchi over an alleged defamation case.

DAILY POST reports that the bench warrant was issued on June 9, 2026, by Chief Magistrate Abdulmumini Adamu in Suit No. CMCBH/870/2026, following a complaint filed by Barrister Ahmed Sani and Barrister Hussaini Saraki.

According to court documents obtained by DAILY POST, the complainants accused Kashim of making defamatory remarks during a television interview.

They alleged that he claimed one of the lawyers had been accused of collecting money from a client without rendering the agreed legal service.

The complainants further alleged that Kashim suggested they may have been among those who supplied information about him to government officials.

They described the statements as false, malicious and damaging to their reputations, maintaining that they had never provided any information about Kashim to government officials.

According to the complainants, the remarks subjected them to public ridicule, tarnished their professional standing and cast doubt on their integrity and competence as legal practitioners.

The court granted the application for a bench warrant after counsel to the complainants, S.U. Sarki, Esq., urged the court to compel the defendant’s appearance.

Reacting to the development, Kashim said he remains committed to the rule of law and respects the judiciary.

He explained in a statement that the court summons was served on a Sunday after he had already made arrangements to travel to Abuja for previously scheduled engagements.

“We wish to clarify to the public that the court summons in question was served on Sunday, at a time when I had already completed my travel arrangements to Abuja for important engagements that had been scheduled earlier,” he said.

Kashim stated that upon becoming aware of the matter, he immediately directed his lawyer to appear before the court and seek an adjournment.

“It is therefore not right to interpret our absence as absconding or a refusal to accept the summons,” he added.

He reiterated his confidence in the judicial process and expressed readiness to defend himself in court.

“We have full respect for the courts and the legal system, and we are ready to defend ourselves according to the law. We have not insulted anyone, and we have not committed any crime that would prevent us from telling the truth in court.

“God willing, we will appear in court at the scheduled time for the continuation of the trial, and we are confident that the truth will come out,” Kashim said.

Bauchi NDC governorship candidate responds to bench warrant over alleged defamation