Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has arrested a blogger, Austin Okai for circulating reports of alleged inflation of contracts to acquire vehicles for traditional rulers and commissioners in the state.
Mr. Okai was arrested in Abuja on Monday 10th April, 2017 and handed over to the Kogi State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). He was arraigned at a Magistrate Court in Lokoja on charges of falsely accusing the government of buying cars worth $12m, orchestrating rumors of the governor’s death, and inciting the public against the governor. He has also been accused of conspiracy to burn down the newly-built Revenue House in the Lokoja. The Magistrate Court remanded Mr. Okai in police custody and adjourned trial to Thursday, April 13.