A Magistrate Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State, has remanded political critic Musa Abdullahi, popularly known as Lamarbago, in a correctional facility pending further proceedings in a defamation case involving the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Muhammad Garba Gagiyo.
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The presiding magistrate ordered that Abdullahi remain in custody until Monday, when the matter is expected to continue and the court will consider an application by his lawyers for bail.
The case arose against the backdrop of a political disagreement between Abdullahi and Gagiyo, who had previously been his political associate. Abdullahi is also known for publicly criticising former Senate President and Yobe North Senator Ahmed Lawan, whom the report describes as a political associate and mentor of the commissioner.
Speaking after the court proceedings, Abdullahi linked the defamation case to an earlier incident in which he alleged that he was attacked at his home, beaten and dispossessed of mobile phones he valued at about ₦3 million.
According to him, the incident occurred on September 4 and involved persons allegedly led by one Kabiru Bala. Abdullahi alleged that Gagiyo was behind the attack, a claim the commissioner has denied according to the published account. No court has established the allegation against the commissioner.
“On September 4, Hon. Muhammad Garba Gagiyo, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning of Yobe State — who is a close political associate of former Senate President Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan — sent his boys, led by Kabiru Bala, his right-hand man, who came to my house, beat me up and seized my phones, worth about N3 million,” Abdullahi alleged.
He said he reported the matter to the Gashua Police Division but, dissatisfied with what he described as the response, approached a Magistrate Court in Damaturu. According to him, the court subsequently directed the police to arrest and produce those named in his complaint.
Abdullahi said Bala was eventually brought before the court and granted bail.
He alleged that the commissioner subsequently initiated the defamation proceedings against him over statements connecting Gagiyo with the alleged attack.
“What surprises me most is that those who came to my house and assaulted me were granted bail, yet on the day I was arraigned, the court denied me bail and remanded me in prison pending trial until Monday,” he said.
Abdullahi claimed that the statement at the centre of his remand was his allegation that “Gagiyo sent thugs to kill me.”
“The judge remanded me because I said, ‘Gagiyo sent thugs to kill me,’ yet he granted bail to the man who led the attack against me, Kabiru Bala,” he said.
He further made a serious allegation concerning the circumstances surrounding the refusal of bail, claiming that the magistrate stated in open court that a communication had been received from “above” concerning his release.
“The judge himself stated in open court that his hands were tied, because he had received a call from above instructing him not to grant me bail — which is why I was remanded until Monday,” Abdullahi alleged.
That claim is Abdullahi’s account of what occurred in court and has not been independently established in the available report. The magistrate was not quoted as responding to the allegation.
Abdullahi called on human rights organisations to intervene, saying he intended to pursue his complaints through lawful means despite the pressure surrounding the case.
“I don’t consider myself stronger than anyone, nor above being wronged. But I have vowed to pursue my rights no matter the hardship or pressure,” he said.
“I call on human rights organisations to take up this matter and help me pursue my rights as a citizen.”
The published report said efforts to obtain a further response from Gagiyo to Abdullahi’s latest assertions were unsuccessful, as telephone calls and a text message were not answered.
The defamation allegation against Abdullahi has not been determined, and his remand is not a finding of guilt. The matter is expected to return to court on Monday, when his bail request may be considered.
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