From: Olanrewajuc Lawal, Birnin-Kebbi
A Sharia Court I sitting in Birnin-Kebbi and presided over by Muawiya Sheu has remanded 11 youths in prison for allegedly disrupting peace of Zauro, a community in Birnin-Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The youths were arrested by the police for disrupting a meeting called by elders of the community at the District Head palace, which aimed to curtail the increasing cases of rape, theft, drug addiction and other social vices amongst the youths.
According to the Prosecutor, Cpl. Faruk Muhammad of the Nigeria Police , the youths were charged for conspiracy, inciting disturbances and obstruction of peace which are punishable under Section 97, 113 and 149 of the Penal Code.
While testifying before the Court , Insp. Ishaka Abdullahi who is the head of police unit of Zauro community, told the court that while the elders of the community were holding a meeting, the youths tried to force themselves into the venue but they were stopped by the police and in the process, they threw stones, broken bottles and any available things around to damage a police vehicle.
Another witness, Abubakar Maisamari, one of the elders at the meeting, said the youths also sent a warning letter to the elders.
“While we are holding a meeting about enacting the law to instil discipline in our community, they (the youths) sent a letter warning us that whatever law we enacted , they will not agree on the basis that the law is lopsided does not touch the children of the rich”.
Counsel to the accused persons, Barr. Ahmad Zumaru, argued that the elders did not follow due process in enacting the law because it did not go through the local government area and alleged that the police was bias in the crisis by aiding the community.
The presiding Judge of Sharia Court, Muawiya Shehu, while adjourning the case to Monday, October 9, ordered that all the accused persons be remanded in prison custody until further hearing.