Alledged N562 million theft: Niger APC Chairman’s bail application suffers setback, remains in detention

The ruling application on the bail of the embattled factional chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Niger State Engr. Mohammed Jibrin Imam has suffered a set back as the presiding chief Magistrate Nasir Mua’azu did not turn up in court.

The Chief Magistrate has slated today (Friday) to rule on the oral application for the bail of the embattled factional Chairman of the party and the Treasurer of the party in the State, Dr. Shafiyi Abdulsalam who were both remanded in Federal Correctional Centre in Minna when they were arraigned by the men of the State anti fraud squad of the State Police Command on Wednesday.

The duo were standing trial on three count charges which bothers on criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and criminal misappriopriation.

According to the first information report made available in court by the Police Prosecutor Mallam Ahmed Saidu ASP the three count charges were punishable under section, 312,322 and 309 of the penal code.

The Minna Chief Magistrate Court No1 was filled to capacity by friends, relation and political associates of the factional Chairman of the ruling party in the State, in anticipation of the Chief Magistrate to give ruling on the oral application moved by their Defence Counsel, Barrister Musa Suleiman for their bail and the chief Magistrate did not turn up either.

The Political associates, friends and relations who were in court as early as 8.15 o’clock Friday, awaiting his arrival from the Minna Federal Correctional Facility went home disappointed as the presiding Chief Magistrate did not turn up in court to deliver his rulling on the oral bail application.

Speaking in an interview the Defence Counsel to the suspects, Barrister Musa Suleiman stated that he slated Friday to give ruling on the bail application “and here we are, since morning, but he is not in court.

“Even from what I’m hearing is that his phones are not going through which is very unusual.

“I’m afraid that he was not kidnapped. And if that his phones are not going through since morning then something is wrong.

“Infact, I will report to the Chief Judge and the Commissioner of Police that the Chief Magistrate has been kidnapped.

“I think that is what I will do now to know his whereabout. It is very unusual for a Judge to give a date for a case and he did not turn up for the case is quite unusual.

“We are all here since morning for him to deliver his rulling on the bail application, he did not turn up; it is very unusual of a Judge.” he said.

In his reaction, the Police prosecutor, Mallam Ahmed Saidu ASP stated there is nothing strange for a Judge or a Magistrate to re-adjourn the case.

“There is nothing unusual in this matter. The only thing is that, the case should be re-adjourned. All we can do is to give a new date for the ruling on the bail application.

“I think there is no big deal about that. I’m not speaking for the Police but I’m only responding to the Defence Counsel’s position. That is the position of the court.” he told our reporter.

However, as at the time of filling in this report the where about of the Chief Magistrate could not be ascertain as all the court staff and the police prosecutor left the court without any comment.