Court dismisses police application, insists Lebanese national must be arraigned

The Federal High Court sitting in Kano has dismissed an application filed by the police seeking to withdraw charges against a Lebanese national and another accused of committing arson. The office of Kano State Deputy Police Commissioner in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department had applied to the court to withdraw the charges against the […]

The Federal High Court sitting in Kano has dismissed an application filed by the police seeking to withdraw charges against a Lebanese national and another accused of committing arson.

The office of Kano State Deputy Police Commissioner in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department had applied to the court to withdraw the charges against the defendants.

The defendants are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, arson and attempt to tamper with an electric transformer.

Daily Trust recalled that the Federal High Court Kano, issued a warrant of arrest against Maged Ali-Taan, a Lebanese national and his employee, Mustapha Tiamiyu, for failure to appear before it over a charge of alleged arson.

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The counsel to the complainant opposed the police application noting that under the Nigerian Constitution, the plaintiff didn’t have a right to withdraw the charges except the Attorney General of the Federation.

Justice Muhammad Nasir Yunusa ruled against the application by the prosecution and ordered that the defendant be brought to court for arraignment on the next adjourned date, February 12, 2024.

The defendants on Dec. 20, 2021, were alleged to have conspired willfully and maliciously set fire to a building at No. 5C Murtala Muhammed Way Kano which Ali-Taan occupied as a tenant and used same as showroom.

“In the process, Ali-Taan, Managing Director of Alibert Products Nigeria Limited, made a fraudulent insurance claim on the said building.

“The defendants also allegedly attempted to tamper with electric cables and transformer used for supplying electricity to the said building.”

According to the prosecution, the offences contravened Sections 3(6),1(4)(a) and 1(19)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.