From Maiharaji Altine, Gusau
Two Emirs from Zamfara state have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Gusau for alleged conspiracy, aiding and abetting banditry.
The two Emirs are, Abubakar Atiku of Zurmi Emirate and Husaini Umar of Dansadau Emirate.
The two Emirs were suspended and kept in Government House Gusau for several months without trial.
They were finally brought to court on Thursday following a pressure by the Human Right activitists.
Counsel to the Defendants, Barrister Ahmad Kotorkoshi of PM Lasco Chambers said, “The government was not able to arraign the two emirs for obvious security reasons”.
The PUNCH discovered that some human Rights activists mounted pressure on Zamfara State Government to end the prolonged detention of the monarchs by arraigning them before a court of competent jurisdiction for justice on the allegations leveled against them.
There was a mild drama during the arraignment of the two Emirs, as the Presiding Judge was not in the Court, a situation that led to a gentleman agreement between the counsels to the Plaintiff and that of the Defendants.
It could be recalled that, Zamfara State Government has accused some traditional rulers of collaborating with bandits in the state.
