Niger: Court fixes March 13 for judgement on fundamental human rights of accused terrorist

A Federal High Court has scheduled March 13, 2024, as the date for delivering judgement in a case involving the enforcement of fundamental human rights of an alleged terrorist, Mohammed Ahmadu.

The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Amina Garba, will rule on the matter.

The decision to adjourn the judgment was made by Justice Garba after considering the submissions of the counsels representing the defendant and six other respondents in the case.

The judgement was initially set for January 17, 2024.

Recall that Mohammed Ahmadu, along with six others, was apprehended by security operatives and various weapons were allegedly recovered from his residence in the Nikangbe area, a suburb of Minna, the state capital.

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Consequently, the Niger State Government demolished Ahmadu’s house in 2022, purportedly constructed with funds from terrorism proceeds.

Since Ahmadu’s arrest, his whereabouts have not been disclosed.

In response, his wife, Innaworu Ahmadu, approached the court through her counsel, Barrister Mohammed Tsado Mohammed, seeking the enforcement of her husband’s fundamental human rights.

Mohammed, representing the plaintiff, urged the court to intervene, ensuring the protection of his client’s rights and either release him from security agency custody or bring charges against him.

The parties involved in the suit include the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the State Commissioner of Police, the State Director of the Department of State Services, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

After considering arguments from both legal teams, including the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State, Nasara Dan Mallam, representing the state, Mohammed Tsado Mohammed representing the defendant, Abdulmalik Sani from DSS, and Thadeus Jude Akaeze, the head of the legal unit of the police, the presiding judge adjourned the case for judgement on March 13, 2024.