Court orders remand of prime suspect in Niger village head murder case

Justice Aisha Wodu, presiding over a Suleja High Court in Niger State, has made a significant decision regarding the case of Musa Ibrahim, who is currently on trial for his alleged involvement in the murder of the village head of Lambata, Mohammed Abdulsafur.

Despite being granted bail by a High Court in Minna, Ibrahim was re-arraigned at the behest of Justice Wodu.

The judge has now ordered that Ibrahim be brought to court by his surety to face the charges leveled against him, as he is considered one of the main accused individuals in the death of the village head.

Initially, the suspect had pleaded not guilty to the charge of culpable homicide, which is in violation of sections 221 8 and 79 of the Penal Code. However, the judge has decided to proceed with the case and has set the dates of 10th and 11th June for the commencement of the hearing.

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This decision was made following an application by the prosecuting state counsel, Barr Umar Hamidu, who sought permission to file amended charges. Hamidu also informed the court that some of the accused individuals are still at large, further complicating the proceedings.

During the court session, Hamidu also revealed that the first and second accused persons, Iliya and Hamza Umar Sarki, were not present in court as they had been transferred to the Kuje custodial center.

This transfer was a result of the recent escape of several inmates from the Suleja custodial center, which suffered structural damage.

The absence of these accused individuals adds another layer of complexity to the case, as their involvement in the alleged murder will need to be addressed separately.

Overall, Justice Wodu’s decision to re-remand Musa Ibrahim and proceed with the trial demonstrates her commitment to ensuring justice is served in this high-profile case.