Two Fulani community leaders in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau were on Friday arraigned before a Jos Senior Chief Magistrates’ Court, over their alleged complicity in the violence.
The community leaders – Mohammed Adamu, 50 and Mohammed Bello, 64 – were arraigned, following allegations that they were “contributing to the insecurity within their domains. ’’
Adamu and Bello, residents of Mahanga and Banchit districts, were arraigned on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and disrespect to constituted authorities.
Police First Information Report (FIR) had alleged that the accused persons at a stakeholders meeting on April 5, 2012 vowed to invite their brothers across the West African region to fight in Plateau.
Prosecutor Yahaya Adamu told the court that the duo were responsible for the insecurity in their domain and the entire Riyom Local Government.
“My Lord, these two Fulani leaders criminally conspired to breach the peace of their communities.
“When they were invited by constituted authorities for a security meeting, they deliberately refused to heed to the call.
“By their actions, they have committed offences contrary to Sections 97(I), 136, 152(b) and 114 of the Penal Code Law cap 89 Laws of the Federation.’’
They pleaded not guilty and applied to the court for bail.
The prosecutor, who did not opposed the application for bail, urged the court to invoke Section 88 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), compelling them to “enter into a bond.’’
“Let the accused persons enter into a bond to maintain peace in their domain until the case is finally disposed of.
“Again, a consequential order should be made under Section 90 of the CPC that if they will not maintain peace, a warrant of arrest be issued for their arrest as we ask for a date for their trial.’’Mr Smart Irabor, counsel to the Adamu, opposed the application of the prosecutor.
“There are no evidences to show that the accused are threats to public peace within their domains to warrant the invocation of section 88 of the CPC.
“There is nowhere in the Nigerian Constitution that says refusal to attend any meeting by any citizen is a crime, so the allegations against the accused do not hold water.’’ Irabor argued.
Mr Bala Bako, counsel to Bello, urged the court to disregard the application of the prosecutor and grant bail to the accused in the interest of justice.
Bako said that the accused persons were harmless community leaders and prayed the court struck out the application for written bond.
In her ruling, Senior Chief Magistrate, Tapmwa Gotep, said that there was no evidence to show that the accused persons were threats to public peace.
Gotep, therefore, struck out the application and granted bail to the accused in the sum of N10.000 each.
The magistrate also directed that each of the accused must produce two sureties in like sum in addition to two passport photographs.
She adjourned the case to May 25, 2012 for further hearing.
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