Alleged Kidnapping: Court Denies Wadume, Others Bail

Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday denied Taraba State’s kidnap kingpin, Mr. Hamisu Bala, otherwise known as Wadume, and his co-defendants bail in the terrorism and kidnapping charges brought against them by the federal government.

Justice Nyako denied the applicants bail while delivering ruling in their bail application because she, “saw no reason to grant them bail,” having giving their trial accelerated hearing.

Wadume and his codefendants are standing trial on a 13-count amended criminal charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, continual to detain and collection of a ransom of N106million among others.

Other defendants are: Police Inspector, Aliyu Dadje, Mr. Auwalu bala (aka omo razor); Mr. Uba Bala (aka Uba Delu);

Mr. Bashir Wazlri (aka baba runs); Mr. Zubairu Abdullahi (aka Basho) and Rayyanu Abdul.

They pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to them and their lawyers accordingly moved their bail applications.

Justice Nyako however declined to grant the request of the applicants in her ruling delivered yesterday.

The judge however ordered that the defendants be moved from the custody of the Special

Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

She also ordered that the authorities of the Correctional Centre in Kuje allow the defendants access to medical facility and their lawyers while in their custody.

Wadume was first arrested in Ibi, Taraba State, on August 6, 2019, by policemen from the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of the Police office.