Imam, 4 others accused of holding Friday prayers in Kaduna get bail

A Magistrate Court in Kaduna on Monday granted bail to an Islamic cleric, Aminu Umar and four others accused of conducting a marriage ceremony and holding Friday prayers in defiance of the curfew imposed by Kaduna state government.

Umar, the deputy imam of Shekara Mosque, Malali, Kaduna and Habibu Garba, Dauda Saidu, Rabiu Ahmad and Yusuf Usman, were arraigned for allegedly violating the law prohibiting religious and other gatherings because of the COVID -19 pandemic.

State Director of Public Prosecution, Bayero Dari, told the court that the accused persons were arrested at Malali Central Mosque, Unguan Shekara, conducting Friday congressional prayers and a wedding.

He said the offense contravenes Sections 35 and 36 (5) of the Kaduna Penal Code and the 1999 Constitution as amended.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges of criminal conspiracy and disobedience to the law. Their counsel, Abdulbasit Sulaiman, asked the court to grant his clients bail in liberal terms.

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He promised that the defendants would be of good behaviour and would not interfere with investigation into the case.

The magistrate, Malam Musa Lawal, granted the defendants N1 million bail each and ordered each of them to provide two reliable sureties.

According to the magistrate, one of the two sureties must be a close relative while the other must be a traditional title holder recognized by the state government.

“The sureties must include a traditional title holder who is recognized by the Kaduna state government and must submit two passport photographs and an official identity card,” Lawal said.

He adjourned the case to April 29, for continuation of hearing.