- Over alleged 11 count criminal charges
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The Bauchi State Government has dragged former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Barrister Yakubu Dogara and 28 others before a Bauchi High Court on 11 count criminal charges over the violence that marred the 21st Memorial Anniversary of late Baba Peter Gonto on December 30 and 31, 2021.
The criminal charges instituted against the defendants followed the alleged killings and destruction of property that disrupted the celebration of the leader and crusader of the Sayawa Nation in Bogoro town, headquarters of Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi state.
The charge sheet endorsed by the Chief Registrar of Bauchi State High Court indicates that Dogara, the number one defendant, alongside 28 others, are accused of conspiring to cause bodily harm to people in the area and ultimately frustrate the memorial anniversary.
The Charge sheet, made public on Friday, January 7, 2022, read in part: “Pursuant to Sections 98 (1) & (2), 100 (b) and 103 (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Bauchi State, 2018. Count One: That you, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, male of Maitama, Abuja-FCT, Air Commodore Ishaku Komo (Rtd), male of Kaduna-Abuja Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Rev. Markus Musa, male of Tafawa Balewa Town, Peter Emmanuel, male of Tafawa Balewa Town, Ga’Allah Daniel, male of Tafawa Balewa Town, Iliya Emmanuel, male of Tafawa Balewa Town, on or about the 29th, 30 and/or 31st day of December 2021 agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to incite the Youths of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Towns to disturb public peace by burning people’s houses, blocking access roads, physically attacking invited guests and other participants attending the 21st Year Memorial Anniversary and Book Launch of Late Baba Peter Gonto at Bogoro Town; destroy and burn all facilities provided for the occasion, thereby committed offence contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Bauchi State”.
It further stated that; “On or about the 29th, 30th and/or 31st day of December 2021 agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to commit the offence of Mischief by Fire by burning people’s houses in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro during the 21st Year Memorial Anniversary and Book Launch of Late Baba Pe Gonto at Bogoro Town and to destroy and burn all facilities provided for the occasion, thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of the penal code law of Bauchi state
“On or about the 29th, 30th and/or 31st day of December 2021 agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to commit the offence of Culpable Homicide during the 21st Year Memorial Anniversary and Book Launch of Late Baba Peter Gonto at Bo Town and that you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Bauchi State”, Yakubu Dogara and others were also accused.
Though the charge sheet did not capture the number of people allegedly killed in the violent attack, nor the number of houses razed in the unfortunate incident, unconfirmed reports hinted that not fewer than six lives were lost while many houses, cars and other property were set ablaze by the rampaging hoodlums.
In the process, reports said the Emirs of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu and Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman were attacked with cars in their convoys damaged, including the official vehicle of the Emir of Dass.
No date has been fixed for the commencement of the case but court processes are being served on the defendants as indicated by the charge sheet
Reports in the media space had alleged that the former Speaker, Dogara had written a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of State Security Services (SSS), warning of an impending security threat if the 21st remembrance anniversary of Baba Gonto was allowed to hold.
Insider sources claimed that this development among other ‘politically-motivated’ issues led to accusations and counter-accusations among prominent Sayawa people with the result being the suit filed against Barrister Dogara and others.
