“There Is A Need For Us To Respond” — Court Adjourns Bashir Kurfi’s Alleged Defamation Case To Nov 4 As ASUU Shows Solidarity

The Federal High Court in Katsina has adjourned the case involving security analyst and university lecturer, Dr Bashir Kurfi, to November 4, 2026, to enable his legal team respond to a counter-affidavit filed by some of the respondents.

Kurfi is facing proceedings over allegations of defamation and injurious falsehood arising from comments he reportedly made concerning the Katsina State Government and the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.

His counsel, A.D. Umar, told journalists after Tuesday’s proceedings that the defence was served with the counter-affidavit by counsel to the first and third respondents on Monday evening and required time to study the document and file an appropriate response.

“Unfortunately, counsel to the first and third respondents served us with their counter-affidavit yesterday evening, so there is a need for us to respond,” Umar said.

He explained that after the development was brought to the attention of the court, the matter was adjourned to November 4 for definite hearing.

Kurfi, who previously lectured at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The proceedings also attracted the presence of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, who attended the court in solidarity with Kurfi.

Chairman of the ASUU branch at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Dahiru Rabe, said he attended the proceedings on behalf of the union’s Sokoto Zonal Coordinator.

According to him, the union’s interest was to ensure that justice was done without unnecessary delay.

“We are here to show our solidarity with one of us who has been dragged into this litigation. We want justice to be done,” Rabe said.

He added that ASUU was concerned about the need for a fair and timely determination of the matter.

“Delaying justice is denying justice,” he said.

The case will now return before the Federal High Court on November 4, 2026, for further hearing.

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