By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria
October 20, 2025 (Series News Online)
The Kebbi State High Court 2, presided over by Honourable Justice Nusirat Ibrahim Umar, has adjourned to November 10, 2025, for ruling on an application of no case submission filed by counsel to the defendants in the case of Kebbi State vs Muhammad Dan Ali and 3 others.
The defendants are standing trial on two count charges of criminal conspiracy and homicide punishable under sections 60-sub-1 and 191 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law 2021.
During the proceedings, Barrister Maryam Mahmud, appearing for the State, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the defendants' counsel to address the court on their application of no case submission. Barrister Ahmed Abubakar Filgila and Barrister Muhammad Usman, appearing for the defendants, confirmed the submission and indicated their readiness to proceed.
In his submission, Filgila argued that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants, citing the absence of confessions, eyewitness testimony, or direct evidence linking the defendants to the crime. "My Lord, we humbly adopt the issue and the argument canvassed on the case of no submission to resolve in favour of the defendants, urging my lordship to discharge and acquit all the defendants of the charges levelled against them," he said.
Filgila further emphasized that the defendants had not confessed to committing the crimes during their statements to the police and that there was no eyewitness or witness testimony before the court that linked them to the offenses. "No evidence, direct or indirect, has been presented before this court that indicts the defendants," he added.
In response, Barrister Maryam Mahmud, counsel to the state, urged the court to dismiss the application, arguing that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and that the evidence adduced before the court linked the defendants to the crime. "We urge my Lord to hold that the prosecution has established a prima facie case, so that the defendants would open their defence," she said.
After hearing both parties, the court adjourned to November 10, 2025, for ruling on the application of no case submission.
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