Serve Criminal Charges on Senator Misau, Court Tells FG

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday told the federal government to serve Senator Isah Misau the criminal charges it preferred against him.

Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, gave the order shortly after listening to the submission of the prosecution counsel, Hadi Saleh, in his chambers.

Misau, who represents Bauchi Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, was accused by the federal government of making injurious and false allegation against the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

At the hearing yesterday inside the CJ’s chambers, prosecuting counsel however informed the court that he wants to apply for a court summon on the defendant.

Reacting, the court asked if the defendant had been served with the charges and if there are proofs the defendant was evading service, that would warrant the application for summons.

While discouraging the culture of arresting people in order to compel them to appear in court, the CJ advised the prosecution to first do the needful and if it fails before seeking the court’s intervention.

Justice Bello said before the court can take the application, the prosecution must show evidence that it tried to no avail to reach the defendant or that the defendant is deliberately evading service.

Justice Bello later fixedOctober 19 for parties to come back.