The Zamfara state High Court IV sitting in Gusau yesterday granted an application filed before it seeking the state attorney-general to take over the prosecution of the criminal case filed against Sen. Ahmad Sani and 29 others.
Blueprint reports that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had filed a criminal case against Ahmad Sani and 29 others over an attack on a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ibrahim Shehu Bakauye.
At the resumed sitting yesterday, the state attorney-general, Barrister Garba Gajam, filed an application seeking to take-over the prosecution of the case.
Gajam, who was represented by the Solicitor General in the Ministry of Justice, said the attorney-general was constitutionally empowered to take-over the prosecution of the case.
Counsel to the accused, Barrister Sani Katu, supported the attorney-general’s request, stressing that “the attorney-general is constitutionally empowered to take over the prosecution of the case.”
In his submission, the prosecution counsel, Barr. Oloye Torugbene, urged the court to disregard the application requesting for the take-over of the prosecution by the attorney-general, “considering public interest in the matter.”
He reminded the court that the matter was adjourned to April 8 (yesterday) for the accused persons to take their plea on the allegations.
Ruling in the application, Justice Gummi said after careful scrutiny of the application and submissions of counsels, the court had no option other than to grant the application based on Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution.
He, therefore, adjourned the case to May 26.
