A magistrate court in Adamawa State has ordered the detention of a prominent philanthropist, Emmanuel Musa and four others for their alleged involvement in the murder of a politician, Thomas Godwin
The Chief Magistrate Court III in Yola on Friday, presided over by Chief Magistrate Uwani Mohammed, ruled that the defendants be held in custody until July 7, 2025, to await legal advice from the state director of public prosecution.
Consequently, Musa and the other defendants will remain incarcerated until that date.
Apart from Musa, the other defendants are Godwin Chukukuyada, Danlami Nuhu, Ibrahim Bakari (also known as Mai Cross), and Stephen Peter.
They are charged with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, violating Sections 60 and 191 of the amended Adamawa State Penal Code of 2018.
The prosecution’s first information report presented in court, stated that the defendants attacked the late Godwin, while he was traveling from Fadama Rake to his hometown of Kala’a on April 15, 2025.
The victim was reportedly left unconscious on the roadside by the defendants and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The prosecution further alleged that Musa instigated and funded the defendants to carry out the attack.
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During the arraignment, the prosecution’s attorney, Ezekiel Gidauna, requested to replace the first information report dated May 19, 2025, with a new one dated July 4, 2025.
In response, the defense attorney, G. C. Adikwu, along with M. I. El-Yakub, objected to the substitution, claiming they did not possess the new document.
The court dismissed the defense’s objection and ordered that the new document be substituted, read, and explained to the defendants in a language they could understand.
When the new report was read and translated into Hausa, the defendants indicated they understood the charges, except for Musa, who stated he needed it read to him again for clarity.
However, Chief Magistrate Uwani did not inquire whether the defendants pleaded guilty or not to the allegations.
Addressing this oversight, G. C. Adikwu argued that the law stipulates that the defendants must be asked both if they understand the charges and whether they plead guilty.
Earlier, Adikwu requested that Musa be allowed to sit during the arraignment due to dizziness, explaining that his client had been transported from Abuja to Yola, while receiving medical treatment.
