A Second Prosecution Witness in the trial of an alleged Kidnap kingpin, Bala Hamisu aka Wadume, Wednesday revealed how he helped soldiers to cut off the defendant’s handcuffs to free him.
Hafizu Bala, the PW2, who identified himself as a welder, resident of Ibi in Taraba state, gave his evidence in hausa language with his testimony translated in English.
The federal government is prosecuting Wadume and six others on a 13-count amended criminal charge preferred against them by a police Inspector, Aliyu Dadje inclusive.
The charge against them borders on terrorism, murder, kidnapping and illegal arms running.
Led on evidence in chief, by the prosecution counsel, Mr. Magaji Labaran, the witness revealed that on August 6, 2019, he was engaged to cut off Wadume’s handcuffs after he escaped from police custody.
In his testimony, the witness said he was told to come and break the padlock, rather, he saw handcuffs.
He said: “I am a welder and resident of Ibi in Taraba state. I came to testify about what happened.
“On August 6, 2019, I was sitting in my shop when a motorcycle rider came and took me to go and break the padlock for him. The rider was a soldier man.
“We went to a military camp. We went there and the road was blocked. But the motorcycle rider showed them my tools and handsaw before they allowed us to pass.
“After we went inside, we went straight to Capt. Balarabe’s house. We met Alhaji Hamisu Wadume with two military men, with other people inside.
“I met him with handcuffs in his hands and leg. When I went inside he was sitting on a chair, I told them that where he was sitting will not be comfortable for me to do the work, that he should sit on a double chair. What they brought me for was to break the padlock, but what I saw was a handcuff.
“One of the military men asked him to stand for a photograph. Alhaji stood and raised his hand for the picture. After which I started working on the handcuff.
“Eventually, I was able to cut off the handcuff. After that, I did not do any other thing, I went home.
“There is one DCO that assisted me to cut the handcuff”, the welder added.
Also yesterday, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako refused to grant bail applications filed by defendants.
The court ordered them to be immediately moved from the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the police to prison in Kuje, Abuja.
In her ruling, the court noted that the matter is already receiving an accelerated hearing, adding that it saw no reason granting them bail.
The judge, however, ordered that the defendants must be allowed access to medical facilities and allowed to have access to their lawyers while in prison.
Meantime, hearing on the matter continues July 7.
