Four men have been arraigned before a Yola Chief Magistrate’s Court for beating one Adamu Ahmadu to death over theft.
It was however discovered after he was beaten to death that he was falsely accused. The phone he was accused of stealing was later found on a sofa in one of the suspect’s home.
The 28-year-old, son of a security guard at the Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation, succumbed to his injuries after he was tortured with sticks and broken blocks.
He was accused by Hamidu Umar, the son of the deposed ward head of Damare, Yola South Local Government Area, of stealing his mobile phone on January 22, 2022.
Though the deceased denied the allegation, Umar reportedly insisted he produces the phone. The 55-year-old and three others reportedly resorted to torture to force out a confession from the victim.
The other three defendants were identified as Sholle Manas, Faisal and Nahau.
Umar, assisted by Faisal and Nahau, allegedly took the victim to an uncompleted building around 5.30 pm and tortured him.
During their re-arraignment on February 15, 2022, Umar maintained his not guilty plea, while the second defendant, Manas, who had initially pleaded not guilty, changed his plea.
Manas told the court while pleading guilty that he met the first defendant and the two others beating the deceased, adding that he was instructed by Umar to join them in beating Ahmadu.
The third and fourth defendants, listed in the court records, were at large.
According to a first information report, “Ahmadu was rescued by the new Ward Head of Damare, Sahabo Umar, who also reported the case at the Wuro Hausa Police Station.
“However, Umar, upon his return home, found the missing handset on a sofa in his palour.”
The report further stated that the victim, who was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yola, for medical attention, died on Sunday, February 13, 2022 and was buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
The Chief Magistrate, Dimas Gwamu, adjourned the case till the following day for continuation of trial and sentencing of the defendant who pleaded guilty.
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