Kwara State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Lade, has taken a bold legal step by filing a direct criminal complaint against Tauheed Baruwa Muhammed, founder of Nupekotv. This move comes amid an ongoing N10 million civil defamation lawsuit against the media outlet.
The criminal complaint, officially dated September 22, 2025, accuses Tauheed of multiple offences under the Penal Code, including defamation, printing and selling defamatory matter, and criminal intimidation. This move signals a determined effort by Commissioner Lade to pursue not only financial redress but also punitive measures against the media personality.
The legal saga began with a report published by Nupekotvlafiagi on July 28, 2024, titled “HON USMAN LADE KWARA COMM. FOR WATER RESOURCES UNDER FIRE FOR MISMANAGEMENT AND NEGLECT.” The article alleged that Commissioner Lade had neglected his primary duties of addressing severe water shortages in Lafiagi and surrounding communities, opting instead to distribute farm inputs—a task deemed outside his portfolio. The report further claimed financial mismanagement, impropriety, and incompetence on the part of the Commissioner.
While Hon. Lade has consistently maintained that the rehabilitation of the Lafiagi waterworks is complete and the allegations of persistent water scarcity are unfounded, residents and critics continue to voice concerns over access to clean water.
The new criminal complaint meticulously outlines the purported harm caused by the publication, stating that it was “false, unfounded, malicious, and defamatory,” deliberately republished, and caused “grave reputational and emotional injury” to the Commissioner, his family, and his office. The legal document asserts that Muhammed’s actions warrant prosecution and punishment in accordance with the law.
Representing the Commissioner are legal counsels Dayo M. Zulqurnaini, Esq. and Abdulmalik Yusuf Bello, Esq. They are seeking the court to take cognizance of the complaint, issue a warrant for Muhammed’s appearance, compel him to answer the charges, and ultimately, upon conviction, ensure he is punished as prescribed by law.
This dual legal approach – pursuing both civil damages and criminal prosecution – underscores the Commissioner’s firm stance against the media outlet’s reporting. It also intensifies the ongoing debate about the role of the media in holding public officials accountable versus the protection of individuals’ reputations. As this unprecedented legal battle unfolds, all eyes will be on the Kwara State courts to see how these intricate issues of free press, public accountability, and personal reputation are ultimately navigated.
Here’s an image of a gavel and legal documents to accompany the report:
Defamation Suit Escalates: Kwara Commissioner Files Criminal Charges Against Nupekotv Founder
By simple
