Trial of 2 accused of kidnapping continues in Zaria
Mustapha Yauri
Zaria — Insp. Abu Isa of Criminal Investigation Department, Kaduna Police Command on Tuesday narrated how an accused, Idris Mustapha, aka Idi Mai-Zomo, was arrested in connection with the kidnap of four persons in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Isa, a prosecution witness, testified before a Kaduna State High Court in Zaria, in a case filed by the Kaduna State Government against Mustapha and one Isah Ibrahim.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Dari Bayero, told the court that the case was slated for continuation of hearing and their remaining witnesses were ready.
Bayero, who is also the Solicitor-General of Kaduna state, led Insp. Isa, who told the court that prior to Oct. 11, 2021 he was attached to the Force Intelligence Bureau that handles cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry.
Isa said a suspect Umar Adamu was arrested on Oct. 11, 2021 in connection with a case of kidnapping which occurred at the National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Training Centre, Saye, Zaria.
He said the suspect mentioned the name of Idris Mustapha as the veterinary drugs and logistics supplier to their gang leader, Isah Ibrahim, alias Isa Gudale or Isa Danwasa.
“We arrested Mustapha on Oct. 11, 2021 and brought him to our base at Dan Magaji Police Divisional Headquarters, Zaria.
“In the course of investigation, Mustapha narrated how he received money from Isah Ibrahim (the gang leader) at Madaci area in Zaria for the purchase of veterinary drugs.
“He told us that the drugs were usually administered on the rustled cows in kidnappers’ camp at Galadimawa.
“Subsequently, the gang leader asked him to furnish him with information of potential targets for kidnapping, where he (Mustapha) obliged,’’ the witness said.
He added that the defendant told the police that he led the gang leader to the house of one Auwal Mohammed, popularly known as Auwal Custom, at Nagoyi area, and two farms in Zaria
The witness said that the accused told the police that the gang leader came with other members and kidnapped four people from the house of Mohammed.
The prosecution counsel, Bayero applied to tender the statement of the defendant before court, but the move was opposed by the defence counsel, Baba Mohammed, on the ground that the statement was obtained under duress.
The prosecutor countered that Section 37 subsection 7 of the Kaduna State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2017, allows the judge take note of the opposition and rule at the end of the hearing.
However, the defence counsel cited Sections 29 subsection 1 and 2 sub-paragraphs A and B; Section 29 subsection 3 of the Evidence Act, calling for trial within trial to prove the allegation of coercion.
The Judge, Justice Abdulkadir-Sabo Mahmud, adjourned the matter to Oct. 2, for trial within trial.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused, Mustapha and Ibrahim are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping.
The defendants were accused of kidnapping Ibrahim Yakubu, Yusha’u Sani, Abdallah Mohammed-Awwal (5), and Aisha Mohammed-Awwal (21/2 years) on Jan. 28, 2021, at Nagoya area of Zaria.
The defendants were also accused of collecting N14 million ransom before releasing their victims.
The offences contravene Sections 247(1) and 246 (c) of Kaduna state Penal Code Law No.5 of 2017.
