Abuja ram seller spends Sallah in police custody
A ram seller in Abuja, Muhammad Ghali, spent the Eid-el-Kabir holiday in police custody following his arrest over an alleged assault on a retired director in the Department of Lands and Survey of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). Ghali was arrested by officers of the Utako Police Division on Wednesday, the day of the […]
A ram seller in Abuja, Muhammad Ghali, spent the Eid-el-Kabir holiday in police custody following his arrest over an alleged assault on a retired director in the Department of Lands and Survey of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
Ghali was arrested by officers of the Utako Police Division on Wednesday, the day of the Eid celebration, and remained in detention as of the time of filing this report.
Daily Trust gathered that the arrest followed a complaint lodged by the retired director, identified as Alhaji Sani, after a verbal altercation between the two at a ram market under the Jabi Lake Bridge on Wednesday morning.
Eyewitnesses told our reporter that the retired director had visited the market, apparently to purchase a ram ahead of the Eid celebration, when an argument broke out between him and the seller.
One of the witnesses said the exchange became heated, with Ghali allegedly pointing a finger at the retired director before bystanders intervened to prevent the situation from escalating.
The witness said the retired director subsequently reported the matter to the police, who later arrived at the scene and took Ghali into custody.
According to another source, friends and associates of the ram seller made efforts on Friday to persuade the complainant to withdraw the case, but the retired director declined.
Our reporter learnt that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Utako Division approved Ghali’s bail on the condition that he provide a reliable surety who is a civil servant. However, he was unable to meet the bail condition.
When contacted, the De said the police were investigating a case of assault and that the complainant had indicated his intention to pursue the matter in court.
“It’s a case of assault. The complainant wished to press charges against the suspect. I have ordered for his bail with a reliable surety. The case will be charged to court on Monday,” she said.
Asked why the suspect remained in detention for more than 48 hours without being arraigned, the DPO responded: “Weekends, holidays, not inclusive.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the complainant were unsuccessful as calls placed to his telephone line were not answered, while a WhatsApp message sent to him had not been replied to as of press time.