Katsina State Police Command has arraigned one Muhammad Abdulkadir before a Chief Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly inciting disaffection against Governor Aminu Masari.
The prosecutor, Inspector Altine Ragiji told the court that Abdulkadir was arrested on July 7, after he allegedly committed the said offence against Masari.
Ragiji said that the offence was contrary to Section 416 of Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, 1963.
Counsel to the accused person, Mr Peter Israel, however, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case.
He argued that the law under which the accused person was arraigned, was obsolete as the state has its own laws made in 1989.
“The penal code laws of Katsina State does not provide for the said offence. Also, the law itself has not given a particular court that will have jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
‘’So, we are questioning the jurisdiction of the court whether it can entertain, hear and determine the case against the accused person,’’ he said.
Israel, therefore, urged the court to “conditionally or unconditionally release the accused person on bail.”
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Nura El-Ladan, turned down the bail application until the court gave its ruling on the issue of jurisdiction.
El-Ladan adjourned the case to July 26, for continuation of hearing and ordered the accused person to be remanded in prison.
