By Mu’azu Abubakar Albarkawa, Kaduna
The Chief Magistrate Court II, Kings Road, Sabon Gari Zaria has granted indefinite adjournment in the case of alleged mischief and criminal conspiracy filed against Capt. Modibbo Alkali Mahmud, Rector Nigeria College of Aviat
The Rector was standing trial alongside Malam Balarabe Mohammed, the Public Relation Officer of the College; Ismaila Dikko, Director-General of Kaduna state Urban Planning and Development Agency (KASUPDA) and Yusuf Aliyu, Zonal Manager KASUPDA Zaria.
Martaba FM reports that on Jan. 5, the complainant, Malam Ahmed Yahaya approached the court seeking for a redress against the defendants over alleged conspiracy, criminal trespass and mischief.
He alleged that the defendants conspired to destroy the house of the defendant at Unguwar Yusi (Graceland Area) Sabon Gari Local Government without due process.
He said the defendants also conspired to trespass into his house and many others thereby causing mischief by demolishing the property of the complainant who lived in the property for over 15 years.
He said actions of the defendants contravened the provisions of section 59 Kaduna state Penal Code Law 2017.
However, at the resumed hearing of the case, the Registrar of the court said there was an order from High Court number II Zaria directing the magistrate court to suspend its proceedings pending the determination of an application before High Court.
He further explained that the third and fourth defendants (KASUPDA) obtained an order from the High Court II Zaria directing the lower court to stay proceedings set aside the ruling granted on Jan 19.
Mr Friday Ekeke, Counsel to the complainant who conceded to the order told the court that the defendants have been absenting themselves from the court apart from the fourth defendant, Balarabe Mohammed the Public Relations Officer of Nigeria College of Aviation Technology Zaria.
“ To us this is a slide on the court, if these people were law abiding citizens, when they were served they ought to have to appear before the court and answer.
It is in court you either admit or deny liability; as a sign of respect to the court you have to appear in court,’’ he said.
However, Counsel for the first and second defendants, Prof Andrew Akume said his clients have never shown any disrespect to the court.
He added that the reasons were supported with documentary evidence which was presented before court and subsequently conceded to the indefinite adjournment of the case.
However, the Presiding Chief Magistrate, Mr Yakubu Badamasi adjourned the matter sine die.
