The trial of suspected kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Bala alias “Wadume” was stalled on Wednesday after the Federal Government failed to arraign him and 5 other suspects as a result of the absence of 14 key defendants in the case.
The presiding judge, Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako subsequently adjourned the trial to the 8th of June following an application by the Prosecutor, Shuaibu Labaran who informed the court that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had recently taken over the trial.
Wadume was arrested 7 months ago in Taraba after soldiers at a checkpoint allegedly killed 3 policemen on his trail; paving way for him to escape.
He was rearrested few weeks after in Kano.
In a viral video after he was picked-up, Wadume said he was released by soldiers attached to Battalion 93, Takum, Taraba State
Wadume is charged alongside Tijjani Balarabe, an Army captain and 18 others.
Also on the list of defendants are Staff Sgt. David Isaiah; Sgt. Ibrahim Mohammed; Corporal Bartholomew Obanye; Private Mohammed Nura; Lance Corporal Okorozie Gideon; Corporal Markus Michael; Lance Corporal Nvenaweimoeimi Akpagra; Staff Sgt. Abdullahi Adamu; Private Ebele Emmanuel; ASP Aondona Iorbee, Insp. Aliyu Dadje and Auwalu Bala (aka Omo Razor).
Others are Uba Bala (aka Uba Belu); Ahmad Suleiman (aka Dan Ball); Bashir Waziri (aka Baba Runs); Zubairu Abdullahi (aka Basho); Hafizu Bala (aka Maiwelder); and Rayyanu Abdul.
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They were also accused of possessing six AK-47 rifles and dealing in prohibited firearms contrary to section 27 (1)(a)(I) and (1)(b)(iii) of the firearms act.
Editor:(Omor Bazuaye)
