After spending 93 days in incarceration, Kaduna journalist, Luka Binniyat’s bail conditions have been relaxed by Justice Bashir Sukola of Kaduna High Court 10.

The former Vanguard Newspapers reporter is standing trial over alleged false publication brought against him by the Kaduna State Government.

Prior to relaxing the conditions on Monday, Sukola had earlier taken a 15-minute break where he advised both prosecution counsel, led by Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN), and that of the defence, Barrister James Kanyip to go and privately debate the bail condition and report decision to the court.

It was then decided that bail be granted the accused with two sureties upon presentation of bank statement of not less than N10 million credit each.

In addition, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state, is also expected to stand as a surety for the accused, a condition that was fair, compared to the initial bail bond of two sureties within the jurisdiction of the court, each with bank account with not less than N10 million each as well as the originals of their international passports attached.

In an interview with newsmen outside the courtroom, wife of the accused journalist, Gladys Binniyat thanked God that her husband was finally going to breathe the air of freedom.

She described his absence for over three months as a big setback for the family, especially the younger children.

“The children really missed their father, especially the last two. But the younger ones understand what is happening, especially based on what they have been reading on the social media,” she said.

Binniyat said that as a house wife who is not working, her husband's absence brought a whole new chapter to their lives, but appreciated his friends, family and colleagues for supporting the family all through.

“It would have been worse for me, but I felt better everyday when I take food to him,” she added.

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