20th January, 2024
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Three men identified as Michael Abraham, Anti Augustin and Kasuwa Ahmodu, were on Friday arraigned in an Upper Area Court Gwagwalada, FCT for labelling, their neighbour, Mrs Lami Bako, a witch and threatening to kill her with a cutlass.
The men, who were farmers and all residents of Sabon-Gari Wako village Kwali were arraigned on charges of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and defamation of character.
The Prosecution Counsel, Abdullahi Tanko, told the court that the complainant, Mrs Lami Bako, of the same address reported the matter at Gwagwalada Police Station on Dec. 19, 2023.
Tanko said that the first defendant (Abraham) criminally trespassed into the house of the complainant threatening to kill her with a cutlass.
He said that on Dec. 15, 2023 the second and third defendants criminally conspired and defamed the character of the complainant by telling the public that she was a witch.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the provision of Sections 97, 397 and 392 of the Penal Code.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Defence Council, H.J. Daruwana, in an oral bail application, prayed the court to grant his client bail pending the final determination of the case.
Daruwana, cited Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to support his claims for bail.
The Judge, Abdullahi Abdulkarim, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N200,000 each with one surety each in like sum.
Abdulkarim ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must provide their valid means of identification.
He adjourned the case until Feb. 1 for hearing. (NAN)