metro
Blasphemy: Again, Abduljabbar asks lawyers to take back seat, moves to defend self
There was a mild drama at the Upper Shari’a Court in Kano, on Thursday, when controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasir Kabara, insisted on defending himself in the ongoing blasphemy case.
When he was arraigned in court last month, the cleric had tackled his lawyers. forcing them to withdraw from the case.
On Thursday, the cleric, who was charged with blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed, an offence punishable with death, told the court that he does not have confidence in his lawyers defending him well as they have not mastered Islam.
At the resumed hearing of the case, the prosecution counsel, Professor Saida Suraj (SAN), presented the second prosecution witness, one Murtala Kabir Muhammad, a teacher and resident of Kofar Na’isa Lokon Makera, who said he was one of the students of Abduljabbar.
However, when it was time for the cross-examination of the witness, the defense counsel, Barrister Muhamamd Amin Kabir, applied to the court that the defendant be allowed to cross examine the witness himself, citing section 36(6d) of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
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But in his ruling, the presiding judge, Ibrahim Sarkin-Yola, held that the defence had the option of choosing either the defendant to handle his case alone or his lawyers defend him, but that both of them cannot continue together.
Immediately, the cleric chose to defend himself but his lawyers also insisted on remaining in the case till the end.
The prosecution counsel, however, said though they have no objection for the cleric to do the cross-examination, it was their duty to state that since the case is capital in nature, it cannot go on without defense lawyers.
Upon taking all the arguments, the judge, thereafter, adjourned the case to 11th November, 2021.
Earlier, the witness Murtala Kabir Muhammad told the court that he heard Abduljabbar at different times saying bad things about Prophet Muhammad.
According to the witness, on August 10, 2019, he was in Asshabulkhahfi mosque at Gwale Filin Mushe where Abduljabbar used to teach his students and heard the cleric made a blasphemous speech regarding the marriage between the Prophet Muhammad and his wife, Nana Safiyya.
The witness also testified to the court that on December 20, 2019, he heard Abdulljabbar talking badly about the Prophet.
Daily Trust
metro
Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars
Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars
Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a fake Inspector who engages in armed robbery and car snatching, among other crimes.
This was disclosed by the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olatunji Dosu while parading the suspect among other suspected criminals on Wednesday.
According to the Dosu, Monday Igbali, the fake inspector, was a former sergeant who was dismissed after being charged in a kidnapping case in 2021.
He noted that three fancy cars were recovered from Igbali, who runs a gang of five criminals.
Dosu states, “The command commenced an investigation in response to a report filed on August 11, 2023, by one Fibika Kingsley that his Lexus EX330 had been stolen at gunpoint along Agip Road by five gunmen.’’
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“The investigations led to the arrest of one Monday Igbali, aged 43, a native of Okwuzi in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State.
“He is a former police sergeant who was dismissed after being indicted in a kidnapping case in 2021.
“Since his dismissal, he has continued to parade himself as a police officer, even claiming to be an Inspector of Police, a rank he did not attain before his dismissal.
“He works with a gang of five, with four gang members still at large.
“He has robbed a total of nine cars and sold them for between N1.3m and N2.5m each. He was arrested on March 8, 2024, at his home in Chokocho, Etche, after the police conducted due surveillance following investigations.
“We have recovered three cars from him: a Lexus 330, a Lexus IS250, and a Toyota Highlander.”
Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars
metro
Breaking: Military releases FirstNews editor, Segun Olatunji
Breaking: Military releases FirstNews editor, Segun Olatunji
The military has finally released Segun Olatunji, editor of FirstNews, who has been in their custody since March 15.
Olatunji was released on Thursday to Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) General Secretary Iyobosa Uwugiaren and The Nation Deputy Editor Yomi Odunuga under a bridge in Asokoro, Abuja.
It was also learnt that the documents for his release were signed inside a security vehicle with heavily armed operatives.
The security agents were said to be masked and the number plates of their vehicles covered up.
The editor was abducted by armed men in his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos, on March 15.
His family members were kept in the dark on his whereabouts and why he was arrested.
Several groups, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors, almost daily mounted pressure on the government for Olatunji’s release.
On Wednesday, the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute said the journalist was in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
metro
BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists
BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists
A Federal High Court in Borno State has ordered the release of at least 313 suspected terrorists detained by the military.
The court ordered their release due to a lack of evidence to charge the suspects after the investigation.
Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, the Director of Defence Media Operations, announced this during the operational briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
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He said, “The court ordered the release for want of evidence after the conclusion of investigation and other ancillary matters.
“Accordingly, they would be handed over to the Borno State Government for further action.”
BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists
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