Court denies Wadume bail, remands him in prison

A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Hamisu Bala, suspected kidnap kingpin better known as Wadume, at Kuje prison.

Binta Nyako, a judge, made the order while ruling on the bail application filed by Wadume and six other defendants.

Nyako ordered that all defendants be transferred from the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police to Kuje prison.

She also directed the comptroller-general of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) to ensure that the defendants have adequate access to medical services and unhindered access to their lawyers.

Nyako, who said she is giving an accelerated hearing to the case, added that she saw no reason why they should be granted bail.

Wadume was charged alongside Aliyu Dadje (a police inspector), Auwalu Bala (aka omo razor), Uba Bala (aka Uba Delu) Bashir Wazlri (aka baba runs), Zubairu Abdullahi (aka Basho) and Rayyanu Abdul.

They are being prosecuted by the office of the attorney-general of the federation on a 12 count charge of terrorism.

An attempt to arrest Wadume had led to the killing of three policemen and a civilian in Taraba state on August 16, 2019.

Meanwhile, two other witnesses were called to testify for the prosecution on Wednesday.

Hafeezu Bala, the second prosecution witness, introduced himself as a welder. He said Tijjani Balarabe, a captain with the Nigerian army, had contracted him to help break a padlock.

He said on arrival he realised Balarabe had lured him deceitfully to help remove Wadume’s handcuffs.

“I was sitting in my shop when Balarabe took me to go and break a padlock,” he said.

“We went to the military camp, the gate was locked. The motorcycle rider showed them my tools before they allowed us to pass.

“After we went inside, we went straight to Balarabe’s parlour. We met Alhaji (Wadume) with other people inside. I met him with handcuffs in his hands and legs.

“When I went inside he was sitting on a chair. I told them that where he was sitting will not allow me to do the work.

“What they called me for was to break a padlock but what I met was a handcuff. After I cut the handcuff, I walked away.”

Ahmed Suleiman, the third witness, narrated how he helped Balarabe retrieve a pistol that was given to Waziri (5th defendant).

“On the 16th of August, 2019, I was attending an old boys meeting when a call came in that some kidnappers came to kidnap Alhaji Hamisu Bala. So, I informed those at the meeting,” he said.

“After I told them, everyone was eager to leave the place. When I came back, one captain Balarabe Tijani called me and asked if I know a man called Baba Runs (Bashir Waziri).

“He told me that one of their rifles was with him and I should meet him and tell him to bring back their riffle.”

Suleiman said the fifth defendant said he was scared to return the riffle to Balarebe so he asked him to help give it back to the army captain, which he did.

The case has been adjourned to July 7 for continuation.