Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunusa, of a Federal High Court sitting in Kano,on Wednesday, cautioned lawyers against acting as sureties for clients accused of committing criminal offenses.
Nasir-Yunusa gave the warning while addressing lawyers in the ongoing case of alleged arson against a Lebanese national Maged Ali-Taan.
NAN reports that Ali-Taan,the Managing Director of Alibert Products Nigeria Limited alongside his employee Mustapha Tiamiyu, are charged by the Inspector General of Police.
“It is very dangerous for a counsel to stand as a surety for defendants.The defendants must be in court in the next adjourned date” Nasir-Yunusa said
He adjourned the matter until Dec.6, for arraignment.
Earlier, When the case came up for arraignment,the defense counsel, Mr Yahaya Isa-Abdulrashid, who is also the surety of the defendants told the court that his client were not in court.
“My Lord we sincerely apologise, Ali-Taan, is having some terminal illness and in a panic mood as he can not stand trial now.
“We are asking for another date for arraignment”
Responding, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Abdulsalam Saleh, told the court that the defense counsel who stand as the surety to the defendants promised to provide them today for arraignment.
He prayed the court to summon the defendants to appear before the court in the next adjourned date pursuant to section 113 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
The defendants are charged on three-count bordering on conspiracy, arson and attempt to temper with electric transformer.
The defendants on Dec.20, 2021 were alleged to have conspired willfully and maliciously set fire on a building at no 5c Murtala Muhammed Way Kano which he occupied as a tenant and used same as show room.
“In the process Ali-Taan made a fraudulent insurance claim on the said building.
“The defendants also allegedly attempted to temper with electric cables and transformer used for supplying electricity to the said building”
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the provisions of section 3(6),1(4)(a) and 1(19)(a) of the Miscellaneous offences Act.
NAN
