The Kogi State Police Command has dismissed a police sergeant, Ibrahim Isah, for allegedly killing a ram seller , Ali Ibrahim Mbaba, at Ganaja village, and arraigned him before a Lokoja Chief Magistrate court. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ali Janga, had ordered the dismissal and arraignment of Isah for culpable homicide.
Isah, who was arraigned by the police before a Chief Magistrate court on Tuesday, on a count bordering on culpable homicide, was remanded in custody for the alleged offence.
The charges were read to the accused, the Chief Magistrate, levy Animoku, cautioned him as he cried uncontrollably inside the court before his case was mentioned.
According to Amuda Dan Sulaiman, the accused, who was brought to the magistrate’s court in handcuffs, cried profusely on the premises.
“What have I done to myself? What did I do? Call my wife for me,” he said.
The charges read, “That you, Ibrahim Isah, on March 13, 2018, at about 4.00 pm, one Muhammed Jibril of BB Umar Live Stoke Market Ganaja, Lokoja, reported at ‘C’ Division Lokoja and State Intelligence and Investigation Department alleging that on the same day, he was in the market at Ganaja Village, Lokoja when he saw one man later known and identified as Ex-Sgt. Ibrahim Isah who was riding a motorcycle knockdown one Rabiat Bello, a pedestrian and in the process a group of mobs gathered and an argument ensured between them.
The complainant stated further that the said Ex-Sgt. Ibrahim Isah invited his team members from the Anti-Kidnaping Squad of Kogi State Police Command, Lokoja to come to his rescue but while waiting the said Ex-Sgt. Ibrahim Isah took his Rifle and shot at the tarred road to scare away the mobs but a stray bullet hit one Ali Ibrahim at the chest and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja but died while receiving treatment. Investigation led to the arrest of Ex-Sgt. Ibrahim Isah, he made statement and thereby arraigned.
“Thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 221 of the Penal Code.
Arguing for the rejection of his bail, the prosecution counsel, Barrister Muhammed Sanni Inuwa, submitted that the offense committed by the dismissed police officer was not a bailiable one.
He then moved an application for the adjournment of the case to enable him prepare and bring other witnesses to court.
Animoku, who immediately declined jurisdiction of the court to handle the matter, directed the court registrar to transfer the case file to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
The chief magistrate granted the application and remanded the suspect in prison, just as he adjourned the matter till May 9, 2018, for further hearing.