A Bauchi State Magistrates Court has granted bail to Haruna Mohammed, publisher of WikkiTimes, a Bauchi State-based platform, and Idris Kamal, a reporter with the outfit.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Babe Sekoni Abdulfatai, on Wednesday, asked both men to pay a N100,000 bail bond each and provide one surety each in like sum.

Idris Gambo, their lawyer, confirmed the development to FIJ and said the bail conditions had been met. He said the court struck out a cyberstalking charge against them, saying the prosecution’s argument lacked merit.

FIJ earlier reported how police in the state arrested Mohammed and Kamal and detained them on Tuesday before Wednesday’s court appearance over a story on a former Bauchi All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman’s mysterious death.

READ MORE: How Story on Bauchi APC Chairman’s Murder Led to Arrest, Detention of WikkiTimes Journalists

Speaking with FIJ on condition of anonymity, a staffer of WikkiTimes said, “Yesterday (Tuesday), the state council was trying to take over the matter from the prosecutors.

“According to the magistrate, the matter was brought to him at 4 pm, so he decided that they be remanded.

“The Office of the Attorney-General of Bauchi State then took over the matter.

READ MORE: REPUBLISHED: The Story That Got WikkiTimes Publisher, Reporter Charged to Court

“The prosecutor brought up charges of cyberstalking, defamation of character and criminal conspiracy. Cyberstalking was later ruled out.”

The staffer said both defendants pleaded not guilty to the two other charges and were released on bail.

The matter was adjourned until July 25.