Posted by A prosecution witness (PW), Hajiya Fatima Ibrahim, has spoken about her experiences in a kidnapper’s hideout.
She testified before a High Court in Zaria that after taking N6 million in ransom, her captors handed her N2,000 as transportation cost.
Lawal Aliyu-Bullet, Dalhatu Shehu, Nuhu Ismaila, and Nura Usman were accused by the police of kidnapping, illegal possession of a firearm, armed robbery, and criminal conspiracy.
The crime, according to the police, violates the terms of section 59 (1), sections 246(a) through (b) of the Penal Code, and section 6(b) of the Fire Arms Special Provision Act.
At the case’s resumed hearing at Kaduna State High Court 1, Dogarawa Zaria, Ibrahim was giving a statement as PW 2.
“In the middle of the night on January 2, 2021, I heard some odd noises inside the house. When I opened my eyes and turned on the lights, I noticed the four defendants brandishing guns and machetes.
“They inquired about the location of my husband. I let them know he was gone.
“After removing cash, children’s clothing, and other valuables from the home, they kidnapped me and transported me to Galadimawa Forest in Giwa Local Government, Kaduna State.
“They spoke with my husband and agreed on an N6 million ransom to be paid in two installments.
In her testimony to the court, she stated, “The money was paid in my presence and the fourth defendant (Usman) gave me N2,000 out of the money as transportation cost.”
She said that the defendants gave her instructions on where to get on a car that would take her home and gave her the reassurance that nothing would happen to her or anyone else.
Mrs. Ibrahim was questioned under cross-examination by Mr. A. Y. Musa, the defense attorney, and asked to identify the individual who brought the suspects’ money.
Despite not knowing his identity, she said, “I am aware of him because he works with my husband.”
Jummai Dan’azumi, the prosecutor’s attorney, requested that the witness be excused.
The witness was released by Justice Kabir Dabo, who also put the case on hold until the hearing could continue on November 15.
The second defendant, Aliyu-Bullet, had passed away, according to a letter from the Nigeria Correctional Service Zaria that was earlier read in court by the court’s registrar, Jafaru Ibrahim.
He claimed that a death certificate from the Gambo Sawaba General Hospital in Zaria had a note attached to it.
The charge against the deceased suspect was dismissed by the judge, Justice Dabo.