More Crisis Hits Plateau PDP As Court Slams N5 Million Bail On Chairman, PRO Of Ali Modu Sheriff’s Faction

Yakubu Busari

A senior Magistrate Court sitting at the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) has slammed astringent bail term of five million naira (5m) each to the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff factions of the People Democratic Party (PDP) plateau state chapter.

The four count charges that was read before the accused persons which include, conspiracy contrary to section 97 and punishable under section 97 of the penal code, 2 impersonation contrary to section 132 and punishable under section 132 of the penal code, 3 criminal intimidation contrary 396 and punishable under section 396 and intentional provocation to disturb public peace contrary to section 399 and punishable under section 399 of the penal code.

The presiding judge, Justice Tongret Kporbon ruled on the applications brought before her after careful listening to the two parties, the judge ruled the two accused persons should pay the bail of 5 m each with two sureties in like sum a civil servant of grade level 12 landed property and above who has resident in Jos the state capital.

The plaintiff counsel, Bar. Gyang Zi  Esq told the court that this has to do with direct criminal complaint brought in pursuant to sections ,143 (E) of the CPC and sections 97,132 and 399 of the penal code law of Northern Nigeria.

According to him, the criminal summons to be issued against the accused persons on the following; the complainant is a political party duly registered under the laws of the federal republic of Nigeria.

He explained to the honourable court that the first and 2nd accused persons have been parading themselves as ,Chairman and Publicity Secretary of the People Democratic Party (PDP) Plateau state chapter in the media houses and other places especially ,local media unity FM in Jos north LGA .

The person who filed the suit on behalf of PDP, Senator Ahmad Makafi faction Bar Binchen Jantur the state legal adviser.

The counsel to the two accused persons Bar. Jane Gwom pleaded with with the court to grant the bail on self-recognition because of their status in the society.

She argued that the two accused persons are not guilty of the charges which were before my Lordship didn’t contravene any laws of the land owning to the Appeal judgment that gave Sen Ali Modu Sheriff control of National leadership of the party.

Gwom maintained that the Supreme Court appeal which was scheduled for 4th May, 2017 considering argument by learned colleague who observed that former bail application should made that the accused persons be sentence to prison.

However, the case has been adjourned to 31st May,2017 for continuation of hearing on application of 4 charges ,citing the federal republic of Nigeria constitution were the accused persons is not guilty until proving by a honourable court of the land.

Section 39 subsection 5 explained that everyone is assume innocent only when proved guilty, she added.