SAN FRANCISCO, June 04, (THEWILL) – The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami has taken over the prosecution of alleged kidnap kingpin, Alhaji Hamisu Bala, also known as Wadume (33 years) and 19 others charged with terrorism, kidnapping and dealing with prohibited arms.
THEWILL recalls that the case had commenced via a 16-count charge filed in January by Simon Lough (an Assistant Commissioner of Police) in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Last year, some soldiers had opened fire on policemen who were conveying the alleged kidnap kingpin following his arrest leading to the death of three police officers and a civilian and also allowed Wadume escape from custody.
In August 2019, Wadume was rearrested in Kano after which he confessed that he was released by soldiers following the killing of the policemen in Taraba state.
However, a senior lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Magaji Labaran, told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that the AGF has taken over the prosecution of the case pursuant to his power under Section 174(2) of the Constitution.
Labaran said the case file was handed to his office the previous day and sought a short adjournment to enable him put things in order and liaise with the arresting and investigating agencies to ensure that all the defendants are brought to court.
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Justice Binta Nyako adjourned till June 8 for arraignment as the defence did not object to it.
10 soldiers, including a Captain and two policemen are among the19 people charged with Wadume.
The soldiers are: Ahmed Tijani Balarabe (Captain), David Isiah (Staff Sgt), Ibrahim Mohammed (Sgt), Bartholomew Obanye (Cpl), Mohammed Nura (Private), Okoroze Gideon (L/Cpl), Markus Michael (Cpl), Nvenaweimoemi Akpagra (L/Cpl), Abdullahi Adamu (Staff Sgt) and Ebele Emmanuel (Private).
The policemen are: Aondona A. Iorbee (ASP) and Aliyu Dadje (Inspr).
Others are: Auwalu Bala (a. k. a Omo Razor), Uba Bala (a. k. a Uba Delu), Ahmad Suleiman (a. k. a Dan Ball), Bashir Waziri (a. k. a Baba Runs), Zubairu Abdullahi (a. k. a Basho), Hafizu Bala (a. k. a Mai welder) and Rayyanu A. Abdul.
