Lamido moved to prison, PDP kicks

The Jigawa State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday described the continued detention of former Governor Sule Lamido as “a ploy to punish him for his defiance against the evil forces of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party that have taken the country hostage.”

A Jigawa State Magistrate Court yesterday directed that Lamido be remanded in prison custody until tomorrow when his bail application would be looked into.

Chief Magistrate Usman Lamin ruled that he needed time to decide on Lamido’s application for bail.

He equally said he needed to scrutinize the police’s First Investigation Report (FIR) brought as evidence in the case.

The former governor was dragged to the court on a four-count charge of inciting disturbance, contrary to section 114 of the Penal Code; disturbance of public peace contrary to section 113 of the Penal Code; defamation of character punishable under section 392 of the Penal Code and criminal intimidation punishable under section 397 of the Penal Code.

But the state chairman of the party, Salisu Mahmouda Kuit, said Lamido’s freedom of movement as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution has been breached.

“The court order to remand the former governor in prison custody was politically motivated with a view to muscling the party. PDP is therefore calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Sule Lamido,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that police operatives had to use tear gas to disperse Lamido’s supporters who were protesting outside the court premises soon after the magistrate declared that the former governor should be taken to prison.