JUMADA-AWWAL 7, 1429 A.H.
TUESDAY, MAY 13 2008
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Iyantama, popular Hausa film artiste, remanded
By NASIRU MUHAMMAD
A POPULAR Kano-based Hausa film artist, Alhaji Hamisu Iyantama, has been remanded in prison custody till May 15, 2008 for allegedly releasing an uncensored Hausa film named Tsintsiya, and running unlicenced film industry ‘’Iyantama Multi Media.’’
Passing the court’s ruling yesterday, the presiding judge, Senior Magistrate Mukhtari Ahmad, said though the first count charge is bailable, the second one is not ordinary.
He explained that granting the accused bail at this time will jeopardize the speedy trial of the case, which he described as ‘special one’ hence the court will not accommodate delay in its activities.
Senior Magistrate Ahmad further ruled that whoever is not satisfied with the verdict has 30 days to appeal.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Iyantama has denied all the charges levelled against him, and his counsel, Barr. Auwalu Yaro Gabari, had, before the court ruling, applied for bail for his client, as well as appealed to it for leniency as he was a family man.
Later in an interview with newsmen, Barr. Gabari, said they will appeal the ruling.
Alhaji Iyantama was arraigned before the court on two count charges. One for releasing an uncensored film by the name Tsintsiya contrary to Section 16(B) of the State Censorship Board, while the second count charge contravenes Section 91 of the same board.
