Yobe: Political critic Lamarbago remanded over alleged defamation

The State Magistrate Court 1, sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State capital, has remanded Musa Abdullahi, popularly known as Lamarbago, in a correctional facility over allegations that he defamed the state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Muhammad Garba Gagiyo.

Lamarbago is known for his outspoken criticism of former Senate President and Senator representing Yobe North, Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, who is a political mentor to the commissioner.

He has also frequently criticised the commissioner, his former political associate, following their political fallout after Baba Malam Wali was declared the party’s endorsed candidate.

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The presiding magistrate ordered that the young man be remanded pending Monday, when the case will continue and the possibility of granting him bail, as requested by his lawyers, will be considered.

Speaking to journalists after the court session, Lamarbago appealed to human rights organisations to intervene and assist him, alleging that some persons had attacked him and dispossessed him of money and his phones.

He alleged that the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Muhammed Garba Gagiyo, was behind the attack, saying he had evidence to support his claim. The commissioner has, however, denied the allegation.

He said he was remanded after telling the judge, “Gagiyo sent thugs to kill me.” According to him, the judge granted bail to the man he identified as having led the alleged attack against him, Kabiru Bala, while he himself remained in custody.

Lamarbago said he does not consider himself above the law or immune from injustice, but stressed that he would continue to pursue his rights through legitimate legal means.

“I have made a vow to pursue my rights no matter the hardship, no matter the pressure,” Hon. Musa Abdullahi Lamar Bago said.

He narrated: “On September 4, Hon. Muhammad Garba Gagiyo, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning of Yobe State — who is a close political associate of former Senate President Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan — sent his boys, led by Kabiru Bala, his right-hand man, who came to my house, beat me up and seized my phones, worth about N3 million.

“I reported the case to the Gashua Police Division, but they refused to take it up, so I filed a complaint at the Magistrate Court in Damaturu, where the court ordered the police to arrest them and produce them before it. After he was arraigned in court, the commissioner sent a younger relative, Ibrahim Mandama, to stand bail for him.

“The commissioner then filed a case against me in court, alleging that I defamed him through my association with Kabiru Bala, who led the people that came to my house and beat me. What surprises me most is that those who came to my house and assaulted me were granted bail, yet on the day I was arraigned, the court denied me bail and remanded me in prison pending trial until Monday.

“The judge remanded me because I said, ‘Gagiyo sent thugs to kill me,’ yet he granted bail to the man who led the attack against me, Kabiru Bala.

“I don’t consider myself stronger than anyone, nor above being wronged. But I have vowed to pursue my rights no matter the hardship or pressure.

“The judge himself stated in open court that his hands were tied, because he had received a call from above instructing him not to grant me bail — which is why I was remanded until Monday.

“I call on human rights organisations to take up this matter and help me pursue my rights as a citizen.”

Efforts by Daily Trust’s correspondent to get the commissioner’s reaction were unsuccessful, as calls and a text message sent to him were not responded to.