By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria
October 23, 2025(Series News Online)
The Kebbi State High Court 2, sitting in Birnin Kebbi, commenced the hearing of a criminal conspiracy and kidnapping case involving four defendants, Muhammad Rabo and three others. The defendants are standing trial under sections 60 and 247 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law 2021.
During the proceedings, the prosecution team, led by Barrister Abubakar Magaji, informed the court of their intention to call six witnesses to testify against the defendants. Two witnesses were present in court, and the prosecution team was ready to proceed with the trial. The lead defence counsel, Barrister E.C. Ogalina, confirmed that the defendants were ready for trial.
The first prosecution witness, Yanusa Sani, testified before the court, recounting how he was kidnapped on January 26, 2024, at approximately 12 midnight, while returning from Aliero market to his home in Rafin Mudi, Aliero Local Government Area of Kebbi State. According to the witness, the kidnappers entered his home, overpowered him, and took him away to a distant location in the bush.
The witness further testified that the kidnappers demanded a ransom, starting from N2 million, and eventually settled on N15 million for his release. He stated that the kidnappers used his mobile phone to call his friend and business partner, Umar Musa, to negotiate the ransom. The witness was kept in captivity for several days while the ransom negotiations were ongoing.
After his release, the personnel of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Aliero paid him a sympathy visit and extended an invitation to their office. The witness honored the invitation and was subjected to a series of interrogations about the incident. Subsequently, the DSS personnel swung into action, leading to the arrest of the four defendants in April 2024. After arresting the defendants, the witness was called to the DSS office in Birnin Kebbi, where his statement was obtained, which was tendered as evidence during his testimony in court. The witness identified the defendants as the ones who kidnapped him and demanded the ransom.
During cross-examination, the defence counsel, Barrister E.C. Ogalina, questioned the witness at length regarding his evidence-in-chief. After the cross-examination, the court discharged the witness from the witness box and adjourned the case to November 4 for continuation of hearing.
The prosecution team is expected to present more witnesses to strengthen their case against the defendants. The case has garnered significant attention in the state, and the court's decision is being closely watched.
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