JALINGO — A court presided over by Justice Christian Jonah has revoked the bail granted to social media influencer Abdulmumin Imam and ordered the issuance of a bench warrant compelling him to appear in court.
The order was made today in the case instituted by the Taraba State Government against Imam over allegations he made against the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (TSEMA), Dr. Audu.
Imam had allegedly accused Dr. Audu of diverting rice meant for distribution to people affected by emergencies. The allegation is the subject of the defamation proceedings brought against him.
The case was initially being prosecuted by the police before the police withdrew, after which the Taraba State Department of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, took over the matter.
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The state is represented by Barrister M.D. Mustapha, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ministry of Justice, while Barrister Isa Buba represents the defendant.
At today’s sitting, Imam was absent from court. His counsel, Barrister Isa Buba, informed the court that his client had suffered a domestic accident resulting in a fractured leg and was therefore unable to appear.
In arguing his client’s absence, the defence counsel made reference to a photograph of the alleged injury which had been presented at an earlier sitting, rather than presented in court today.
The defence maintained that the court had previously been made aware of the defendant’s condition and argued that the issue should be considered in determining his absence.
The prosecution, however, challenged the basis for the defendant’s continued absence and urged the court to enforce the defendant’s obligation to appear.
The proceedings reportedly featured a heated legal argument between counsel, with the lawyers addressing the court on issues of law and procedure.
The court subsequently held that the photograph previously referred to by the defence had not been formally admitted in evidence and therefore could not, in its present status, constitute sufficient evidence to justify the defendant’s continued absence.
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Relying on the relevant provisions of the Criminal Justice Law, the court ordered the issuance of a bench warrant against Abdulmumin Imam.
The court also revoked the defendant’s bail and ordered that a civil summons be issued to the surety.
The matter has been adjourned to October 15, 2026.
The defendant is expected to appear before the court on the next adjourned date.
