Alleged kidnap kingpin in Taraba state, Bala Hamisu, also known as Wadume have been arraigned by the Federal Government on 13 counts bordering on terrorism.
Wadume was arraigned alongside six other defendants. The other defendants are; Inspector Aliyu Dadje, Auwalu Bala, Uba Bala, Bashir Waziri, Zubairu Abdullahi and Rayyanu Abdul.
Count one of the charge read:” That you Hamisu Bala, (aka Wadume) of Ibi Local Government Area, Taraba between February and April 2019 at Takum and Ibi Local Government Area, within the jurisdiction of this court, knowingly seized and detained one Usman Garba at his filling station in Takum, demanded and collected a ransom of N106 million before he was released”.
The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the matter until June 22 for commencement of trial.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami took over the matter from the police on June 3.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had filed a 16-count charge bordering on terrorism, murder, kidnapping and illegal arms running against Wadume and the others.
They were accused of conspiring to commit felony, to wit: acts of terrorism, by attacking and kidnapping one Usman Garba, aka Mayo, at his filling station in Takum, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act 2013.”
They were also accused of possessing six AK-47 rifles and dealing in prohibited firearms contrary to Section 27 (1)(a)(I) and (1)(b)(iii) of the Firearms Act 2004.
