News / Africa
Nigerian man jailed for Facebook comment
02 Feb 2011 at 22:03hrs | Views
Nigerian police say a man was jailed after making a Facebook comment that put a curse on a governor in northern Nigeria.
A police spokesperson says Moukhtar Ibrahim Aminu was arrested in Jigawa state for defamation after making the comment about Gov Sule Lamido. The comment, posted on January 18 on the social networking website in the local Hausa language, said: "Allah curse Sule Lamido and all his useless friends."
Lamido's spokesperson declined to immediately comment on Wednesday.
The arrest comes as Nigeria approaches a crucial April presidential election. While newspapers do publish critical columns on politicians, bribes paid to journalists help control coverage in Africa's most populous nation. Those who don't fall in line often face threats and beatings.
A police spokesperson says Moukhtar Ibrahim Aminu was arrested in Jigawa state for defamation after making the comment about Gov Sule Lamido. The comment, posted on January 18 on the social networking website in the local Hausa language, said: "Allah curse Sule Lamido and all his useless friends."
The arrest comes as Nigeria approaches a crucial April presidential election. While newspapers do publish critical columns on politicians, bribes paid to journalists help control coverage in Africa's most populous nation. Those who don't fall in line often face threats and beatings.
Source - AP
