* Bwala |
An Abuja-based newspaper publisher, Inuwa Bwala and three other persons has
appeared before Justice F. Umar of the State High Court, Maiduguri, Borno State, charged with ten counts offences including culpable homicide, theft, criminal defamation, and rioting.
Documents obtained by theledgerng.com shows the case listing as 'The State', Complainant, while the Defendants includes: Inuwa Bwala, alias 'Priye' and the three others, namely Ayuba Bitrus, Stephen Buba and Ibrahim Maro, alias Zango. Proffered against them were 10 (ten) counts charges, all offences punishable under the Penal Code Law cap 102 Laws of Borno State, 1994.
The charge sheet were signed by A. H. Izge, Ag DSG; B. Bundi, DDPP; M.A. Askira, PSC; A.I. Alkali, PSC; Y. Lawan, SSC; K. U. Gaji, SSC; and M. Usman SSC as prosecutors
The first charge proffered against them states: "That you, Inuwa Bwala, 'm', Ayuba Bitrus, 'm', Stephen Buba, 'm', and Irahim Maro, (alias Zango), (with five others convicted and sentenced and others still at large) on or about 25th - 27th day of March, 2015, at about 11.00 hrs at M. C. Hotel, village of Hawul Local Government Area, conspired among yourselves (with others as mentioned
above to do an illegal act, to wit: to kill Usman Mamman Durkwa and his entourage and in pursuant of that agreements, the youths assembled at M. C. Hotel, invaded the house of Mrs Liatu Nganjiwa with dangerous weapons with intent to carry oout your agreements to commit offences of attempt
to commit culpable homicide, grievous hurt, mischief by fire, theft, unlawful assembly, rioting, inciting public disturbance, criminal defamation, injuries, falsehood contrary to section 97 (1) and punishabe under sections 229, 248 (2), 103, 107, 114, 336, 288, 392, and 393 of the Penal Code Law cap 102 laws of Borno State, 1994
The fifth charge reads: "That you, Inuwa Bwala, 'm', Ayuba Bitrus, 'm', Stephen
Buba, 'm', and Irahim Maro, (alias Zango), (with five others convicted and sentenced and others still at large) on or about 25th - 27th day of March, 2015, at about 11.00 hrs at Mrs Liatu Nganjiwa's house in Marama village of Hawul Local Government Area, which is within the jurisdiction of this
honourale Court committed the offence of theft of the sum of N2,400,000 and other personal wears in the vehicless of Hon. Ayuba S. Wakawa and Dr. Andrew Usman Malgwi before setting the vehicles ablaze and the sum of N1,200,000 belonging to Mrs Liatu Nganjiwa and that you thereby committed an offence
punishable under section 288 of the Penal Code Law cap 102 laws of Borno State, 1994.
When the case first came up for hearing, the complainants pleaded not guilty when the charges was read to them, and asked for bail, but the case was adjourned to a later date.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, February 28, 2017, the complainants were granted bail. The conditions given for bail include suureties by two senior civil servants from level 12 above, working with Borno State Civil Service
and bail bond of N10 million cash. Subsequently the case has been adjourned to March 28, 2017.
It will be recalled that Bwala, sacked as Commissioner for Information in Borno State under controversial circumstances was on November 14, 2016, fined him over N5 million for false publication, and authoring a false petition by
Justice M. T. Salihu of Federal High Court, Maiduguri
Bwala who also serves as the the media aide of the factional National chairman of the PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was dragged before the Court by Yusuf Dikko. Amongst other reliefs, Dikko sought a declaration that the purported publication made in the April 27 - May 3, 2016 edition of the newspaper
by Bwala, his newspaper, the National Trail and his reporter, Dauda Mbaya was false. His prayers was granted.
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