On Friday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja declined the bail applications of suspected criminals who were allegedly linked to the gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State, Muritala Yakubu.
Earlier, Hon. Justice Jamil Isah of the Kogi State High Court in Lokoja had also rejected the Appellants/Applicants’ motion for bail.
In a thoroughly considered judgment delivered on Friday, in the appeals identified as “CA/ABJ/PRE/CR/544MI/2023,” Hon. Justice Mohammed Mustapha JCA, presiding over the Court of Appeal, upheld the decision to deny their bail applications.
Ojonimi Apeh, Esq represented the Appellants/Applicants, while Badama Kadiri, Esq (DPP), appeared on behalf of the Respondent.
According to a statement released by Peter Afunanya, the spokesperson for the Department of State Services, on March 26, 2023, the Appellants – Kabiri Echi Iyalo, Adama Kerim, Kabir Abdullahi, and Salisu Isah Umar – were allegedly apprehended during a collaborative operation involving various security agencies while en route to Abuja.
Based on reliable intelligence provided to security agencies, it was discovered that the suspects were in possession of dangerous weapons and ammunition inside their vehicle. The intelligence indicated that these individuals, who were loyal to Alhaji Muritala Ajaka, had become dissatisfied due to his suspension and exclusion from the Kogi State APC gubernatorial screening process. They allegedly planned to disrupt the screening exercise in Abuja by causing disturbances at the venue.