Governor Bala Mohammed, his political opponent in Bauchi and former Speaker in the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara have entered a legal log-jam in what is seen as a supremacy battle for the control of Sayawa community in the State.
The Governor has dragged the former Speaker and 28 others before a Bauchi High Court on eleven count criminal charges preferred against them.
Senator Bala Mohammed who was the chief security officer of the state has alleged killings and destruction of properties in the wake of celebration of freedom fighter and crusader of Sayawa community held at Bogoro, headquarters of a Local Government Areas in the state last week.
Mohammed’s charge sheet signed and admitted by the Chief Registrar of Bauchi High Court on January 5, 2022 had eleven count charges which were Friday 7th January, 2022 made public against Yakubu Dogara as leading defendant alongside 28 others.
In the suit No. BA/01/22, the plaintiff has accused the defendants of conspiring to cause bodily harm on people in the area in order to frustrate the progress of the memorial anniversary scheduled for 30th and 31st, December, 2021 in Bogoro.
The eleven count suit reads in part: “Pursuant to Sections 98 (1) & (2), 100 (b) and 103 (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Bauchi State, 2018. Count One: That you, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, male of Maitama, Abuja-FCT, Air Commodore Ishaku Komo (Rtd), male of Kaduna-Abuja Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Rev. Markus Musa, male of Tafawa Balewa Town, Peter Emmanuel, male of Tafawa Balewa Town, Ga’Allah Daniel, male of Tafawa Balewa Town, Iliya Emmanuel, male of Tafawa Balewa town on or about the 29th, 30 and/or 31st day of December, 2021 agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit.
“Under the same references, the accused were also charged of conspiring amongst yourselves and others at large to incite the Youths of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro towns to disturb public peace by burning people’s houses, blocking access roads, physically attacking invited guests and other participants attending the 21″Year Memorial Anniversary and Book Launch of Late Baba Peter Gonto at Bogoro town.
The acts, according to the charges, have also led to the destroying and burning of all facilities provided for the occasion, thereby committed offence contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Bauchi State.
“On or about the 29th, 30th and/or 31st day of December, 2021 agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to commit the offence mischief by fire by burning people’s houses in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro during the 21″Year Memorial Anniversary and Book Launch of Late Baba Pe Gonto at Bogoro Town and to destroy and burn all facilities provided for the occasion, thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of the penal code law of Bauchi state”.
“On or about the 29, 30th and/or 31st day of December, 2021 agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to commit the offence of culpable homicide during the year memorial anniversary and book launch of Late Baba Peter Gonto at Bogoro town and that you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Bauchi State”.
The charges did not however contain the number of people who were killed in the violent attack, nor number of houses razed, but unconfirmed reports have it that no less than 6 people were killed while many houses, cars and other properties were set ablaze by hoodlums during the violence act.
The Emirs of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu and Dass, Alh Usman Bilyaminu Othman were attacked on their way to Bogoro leading to the damage of cars in the two convoys including the official vehicle of the Emir of Dass.
No date has been fixed for mention of the case
CAPITAL POST will be recalled that the former speaker had allegedly written a letter to the Inspector General of Police, and other security agencies warning of impending security threat if the 21st remembrance anniversary of Baba Gonto was allowed to hold.
