Kebbi court arraigns director, 2 others for ‘beating’ chief magistrate

From Ismail Adebayo, Birnin Kebbi

A magistrate court sitting in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State has arraigned a director in the state Ministry for Higher Education, Aliyu Shehu Jega and two others, Yahaya Badaru and Murtala Surajo for allegedly beating the chief magistrate of Court 3 in Birnin Kebbi.

Hearing on the alleged beating of Chief Magistrate Umar Salisu Kokani was opened on Monday at the Magistrate Court 1 in Birnin Kebbi with the three principal suspects in attendance.

Reading their charges, the court clerk said the suspects sometimes in September were arrested by the police for criminal offences.

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In his submission, Police Prosecution Officer, Jubril Abba appealed to the court for the postponement of the case arguing that witnesses in the case were not available and that they just collected the case file to prepare their defence before the court.

Counsel to the plaintiff, SM Danyaro in his submission said the offences the suspects were being charged with were conspiracy, criminal and assault against a chief magistrate.

He said: “What transpired according to the first information report was that sometime in September this year, Chief Magistrate Umar Salisu Kokani was at the Ministry for Higher Education in Birnin Kebbi.

“While he was performing ablution, one of the suspects approached him and an argument ensued between them but as he tried to go, one of the suspects, a director in the state ministry slapped him and two others joined in beating the magistrate.

“This case is about justice. The judge is on grade level 16 and the chief magistrate of Court 3 in Kebbi State. If he could be treated this way, what will then happen to common people?

“This is not the first time judges are being attacked in Kebbi State. Sometimes ago, a judge was killed in his house in Birnin Kebbi. All that we want in this case is justice for the magistrate,” he said.

Having sought the consent of parties in the case on appeal of the police prosecutor for the postponement of the case, Magistrate Hassan Kwaido adjourned the case to 28 November, this year, for further hearing.