You must have read or heard the story of 70 year-old Lawal Izala (some accounts say he is 77) who has been sentenced 18 months imprisonment by a Katsina Court.
Izala’s offence was allegedly insulting the persons of President Muhammadu Buhari and that of Kastina State Governor, Aminu Masari.
You may also have heard his plea that he spoke out of anger when he visited his village and found out that bandits had killed his family members.
The account is that the brother of the said Lawal Izala was slaughtered by unknown men because of 15 cows, and overwhelmed by the emotion of losing a dear brother, he blurted out, allegedly insulting Buhari and Gov. Masari for their failure to bring those that killed his brother to book
And that was what angered the Nigeria police and instead of investigating, they decoded to pick up Izala
The court on Tuesday found Izala guilty of two-count charges of inciting violence and disrespect for civil authorities.
The sentencing of Lawal Izala has been attracting reactions from people.
Outspoken Aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, was one of those who had reacted.
He said the man obviously spoke out of anger when he visited his village and found out that bandits had killed his family members:
If @GE Jonathan arrested gen m Buhari and a@el rufai for their man insulting and inciting words, will they in power?.
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When I read the story of the 72 year Katsina man who was imprisoned yesterday for insulting Muhammadu Buhari after bandits killed his family, this statement by @GE Jonathan came to my mind”
“I am the most abused and insulted president in the whole world but when I leave office, you will remember me for the total “freedom” you all enjoyed under me”
-Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
-GCFR (2014
Cami Ezenwa is a Writer, Editor, Publicist, Biographer and Journalism Trainer
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