Three brothers were yesterday remanded on the orders of a Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court over alleged criminal conspiracy, attempted culpable homicide and thuggery.
The chief magistrate, Alhassan Husaini who gave the order on Umoru Isah, 32, tailor; Salisu Isah, 25, student and Abdulmalik Isah, radio mechanic, on their arraignment, said the offences were weighty.
According to the Prosecuting Police Officer, C.S. Ayabatu, the accused along with 27 others now at large, committed the offence on March 23 when they invaded the compound of Alhaji Attai Shaibu of Ojeko, Anyigba.
They were said to have armed themselves with offensive weapons – cutlasses, knives, sticks, stones and guns, chanting a particular political party’s acronym “with intention to attack and kill members of the other party.”
Ayabatu stated that the accused invaded the compound of the complainant and macheted his aged mother, Ramatu Shaibu in the forehead.
He added that Ramatu was rushed to Maria Goretti Hospital, Anyigba, where she had been lying critically ill.
The prosecution urged the court to adjourn the matter to another date for mention as he “vehemently” opposed granting of bail on the ground that the offences were not ordinarily bailable apart from the likelihood of the accused jumping bail.
Hussain in his ruling said: “I hold the considered view that if this application is acceded to, there is every reasonable belief that the three accused will not show up for trial.
“The three accused persons are hereby ordered to be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe”, he said.
He adjourned the case to April 13 for mention.
