Taraba CJ asks Police to prosecute ex-council boss over killing of former lawmaker

Taraba State Chief Judge, Justice Joel Agya, has asked the Commissioner of Police in the state, David Iloyanomon, to arrest and prosecute Shiban Tikari, a former Chairman, Takum local government council over abduction and killing of a former Taraba lawmaker, Hosea Ibi.

Ibi, a serving member representing Takum (I) constituency in the Taraba state house of assembly, was abducted in Takum, less than 10 meter away from Ada Barrack of the Nigerian Army on Dec 30, 2017 and was few days later, found dead after over N30 million ransom was paid.

Meanwhile, Justice Agya while delivering judgement in the case between the State Vs Mwarga Iormbaga and another, who were arrested and charged over the late lawmaker’s abduction and killing, asked the Police to produce the former Takum council chairman to face prosecution.

The judge, who sentenced the two defendants to life imprisonment  for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping, expressed dismay over the failure of the Police to arrest and prosecute Tikari, who has been linked to the incident as a principal actor.

“I am dismayed over the failure of the Police to arrest and prosecute Shiban Tikari, the former chairman of Takum local government, despite all the evidence that he ordered the abduction and killing of Hosea Ibi after collecting over N30 million ransom.

“The charge of culpable homicide punishable by death is not proved beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecuting council against the defendants and they stand acquitted.

“I want to urge the Commissioner of Police in the state to revisit this case to ensure that true justice prevails so that the late lawmaker’s soul which must be crying for justice will rest in peace.

“The defendants in their separate confessional statements said Mr. Shiban Tikari, the then Takum local government chairman, asked them to abduct Ibi so that the ransom would be used in purchasing arms to fight herdsmen in the area but later instructed their leader, one Terkula to kill the victim.

Barr. Mahanar Puki, counsel to the defendants, who reacted to the judgement, wondered why Tikari, who has been mentioned by all the defendants as the principal actor in the incident, was not arrested by the police for prosecution.

Abubakar Mustapha, the prosecuting counsel also expressed surprise at the failure of the Police to arrest and prosecute the former Takum Chairman despite evidence linking him to the abduction and killing of the lawmaker. 

Mustapha promised that he would use the comment of the judge in the judgement to engage the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) to take the necessary action to ensure justice in the case.