COURT ORDERS ARREST OF LEBANESE NATIONAL, 1 OTHER, FOR ALLEGED ARSON 06-12-23
By Sadiq Aminu A Federal High Court sitting in Kano, has issued a warrant of arrest on a Lebanese national, Maged Ali-Taan, for failure to appear before it.
Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunusa, issued the warrant, following the refusal of the defendants to appear in court to entre their plea, over a charge of alleged arson.
Ali-Taan,the Managing Director of Alibert Products Nigeria Limited alongside his employee Mustapha Tiamiyu, are charged by the Inspector General of Police.
When the case came up for arraignment, 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.
“We will file an application for the counsel to forfeit the bond he entered to produce the defendants pursuant to section 179 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015”
Responding, the defense counsel, Barrister Yahaya Isa-Abdulrashid, informed the court that, his superior has sent a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal high court, seeking for the transfer of the case to Abuja.
“My Lord we sincerely apologise, for not providing the defendants in court”
Justice Nasir-Yunusa said the case is a criminal matter,that cannot be transferred.
He adjourned the matter until Jan.17, 2024 for arraignment.
The defendants were alleged to have on conspired and maliciously set fire on a building at no 5c Murtala Muhammed Way Kano,on 20th December 2021,that is used as a showroom.
“The defendants also allegedly attempted to temper with electric cables and transformer used for supplying electricity to the said building, in the process Ali-Taan made a fraudulent insurance claim on the said building”
Africa 257 reports that,the defendants are charged on three-count bordering on conspiracy, arson, and attempt to temper with electric transformer.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened the provisions of section 3(6),1(4)(a) and 1(19)(a) of the Miscellaneous offences Act.