From Yakubu Busari, Jos
The Nigeria Police Force on Monday arraigned nine persons before a state Plateau High Court for allegedly attacking and killing commuters at Rukubu with dangerous weapons knives, daggers, swords on April 15, 2021.
The prosecutor, Mrs Muleng Alex ,O/C legal of Plateau state Police Command Monday, who said the offense was punishable with death contrary to section 188 and 189 of penal code law of culpable homicide, told the court that one Solomon Dung ,a minor of 17 years old should be remanded in children custody at the correctional centre .
The following persons were arraigned ,Mr Mathew Daniel 2 Jurbe Zamani,3 Dapar Sunday ,4 Bernard Francis ,5 Daniel Bulus ,6 Solomon Dung 7Yakubu John 8 Stephen Ishaku ,9 Yohanna Marshal for alleged taking part in the attacks that led to the death of Sule Alhaji Bechi ,Mallam Ahmadu ,Sidda Abubakar,Abdulkarim Mumini,Suleiman Hassan ,Salisu Haliu,Mohammed Nura,Bello Ori,Abdulkarim SNU ,Yakubu Mallam Bello ors in Jos North LGA .
Mrs Muleng Alex urged the court clerk to read the offenses committed by the defendants which was read to the accused persons and they all pleaded not guilty to committing the crimes .
The prosecutor sought the relief of the court to be given a short date to within which they would prove the allegation levied against the accused persons with the belief that they have been served with the motion .
However, a 4 count charge was read to the accused persons which the counsel to the accused persons Barr. Yakubu Bawa opposed, arguing that the charge service was only effected on one person instead all the accused persons .
Justice Ashom order that the remaining 9 accused persons be be served with proper notice before the next adjourn date which the October 13,2021 for indefinite hearing .
Counsel to the accused,Barr. Yakubu Bawa made a passionate appeal to court on the six(6) defendant who is a minor ,Master Solomon Dung aged 17 on the grounds that he was empowered by the provision of section 175 of the criminal Justice law of 2018 .
He added that subsection C of the law under (1) ,A-C subsection C which application bound the court to release the 6 defendant on self recognition or to be entered by his parents /guardian showed that he was bound to secure his own release not to be taken to correctional centre .
The prosecutor submitted that the section cut by the defendants counsel is a misconception that the section indicate that at a point of arrest not arraigned on culpable homicide where the minor committed the offense by urging the court to overruled and allow the 6 accused person to be taken to children centre at Laranto in Jos North where the children of his age are currently serving .
Barr. Yakubu Bawa said they’re opposing their application because the defendants have filed his defense which is dated September 24, 2021.
