Shi’ite Religious Group Faces Trial In Jos High Court
The Oasis Reporters
June 20, 2018
By Moses Gbande, Jos
Justice Nafisa Lawal, of the Plateau State High Court 11 will rule on the bail application pending before it, by two detained members of the Shi’ite Islamic group in Jos.
The duo Idris Muhammad and Auwal Husaini, were arrested on the 31st March, 2018, by men of the Operations Safe Haven (OPSH), and are being charged of conspiracy and unlawful possession of dangerous weapons.
However, counsel to the accused Panshak Pampe, told the court that they have on 4th June, 2018, filed a motion seeking for the court to grant the accused bail.
“My lord, the application is seeking to admit the accused/applicants bail pending trial and for such further orders as this honourable court may deem fit,” he urged.
Counsel Pampe further urged the court to grant the relief sought by the accused/ applicants in the interest of justice, saying since the alleged offences are bailable.
However, prosecution counsel, G.D. Fomomyon, in his counter affidavit, prayed the court to discountenance the relief sought by the applicants.
“That the applicants being members of a religious group called Shiites, have the tendency of going back to their unlawful assembly,” he told court.
Fomomyon therefore, appealed to the court to decline the relief sought by the applicants
Justice Lawal adjourned the suit for ruling on the bail application to 19th July, 2018, and slated for 25th July, 2018 for substantive hearing on the matter.
Similarly, Justice Mohammed Sirajo, of High Court 3, has adjourned a suit filed against Major-General Anthony Atolakpe, by members of the Shi’ite Islamic Group.
The suit which came up for hearing in the court, was challenging the arrests and detention of two members of the Shi’ite group, Idris Muhammad and Auwal Usaini, by men of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), on the 31st of March, 2018.
However, plaintiffs’ counsel, Panshak Pampe, told the court that though the matter was slated for hearing, he was Tuesday morning served with motion on notice by the defence counsel.
The defence counsel A. Dogara, who also confirmed to the court, further said the motion was seeking for extension of time to file their counter affidavit, on the charges, of unlawful arrest and detention and breach of fundamental human rights.
Meanwhile Justice Sirajo, has fixed the 4th July, 2018, for hearing on the matter.