Correctional officers harass journalists, relatives of amputated Sokoto student

There was commotion at the Sokoto Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Kalambaina on Monday over the refusal of the Sokoto Central Correctional warders to allow the media to take photographs of the driver whose car crushed the leg of a female student, Fatima Suleiman.  The suspect, Aliyu Sunusi Umar, who has been in their custody […]

There was commotion at the Sokoto Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Kalambaina on Monday over the refusal of the Sokoto Central Correctional warders to allow the media to take photographs of the driver whose car crushed the leg of a female student, Fatima Suleiman.

 The suspect, Aliyu Sunusi Umar, who has been in their custody since last week, was brought to the court on a motorcycle by a lone warder. He covered his face with a facemask.

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 The warder attempted to seize the phone of one of the journalists recording the arrival of the suspect. The action of the warder infuriated the relatives and other people that came in solidarity with the victim.

 When the atmosphere became charged, the warder called for reinforcement. When the reinforcement, which comprised of armed squad of the correctional centre arrived, they started harassing people before whisking the suspect away.

 The court could not sit because the magistrate was said to be sick.

 Counsel to the victim, Mansur Aliyu, described the way and the manner the officials treated journalists and the student’s relatives as unfortunate.

 He also said the way the suspect was brought on a motorcycle confirmed the speculation that he was being given special treatment.

 The coordinator of Human Right Monitoring Network, Ibrahim Adamu Tudun Doki, likened what happened to the remnant of military dictatorship in the country.

 Meanwhile, the case was adjourned till next Monday for the continuation of hearing.