A Senior Magistrate Court 8 in Minna, Niger State, on Monday, January 6th, 2025, ordered the remand of 28 suspected hoodlums at the Correctional Centre.
The suspects, residents of Fadikpe and Dutshen Kura Gwari communities in Minna, were arraigned by the State Police Command for trial over their alleged involvement in acts of thuggery on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
According to the police’s First Information Report (FIR), the suspects gathered around 1:00 am on January 1st, setting tyres on fire and blocking roadways. They allegedly formed an irate mob and threw stones and other objects at security agents dispatched to control the situation.
The offences contravene Section 3(b) of Niger State law, which prohibits thuggery, as well as Sections 337 and 97 of the Penal Code, and Section 5(a)(b) of the Indian Hemp Act of 1990.
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All suspects pleaded guilty to the charges. Police prosecutor, Inspector Bello Mohammed, informed the court of the case details and requested an adjournment to serve the defense counsel with evidence, in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Niger State.
The presiding magistrate, Fati Kabir, after reviewing the case, adjourned the hearing to February 12th, 2025, and ordered that the suspects remain in custody.