Maged Ali-Taan, a Lebanese man, is now subject to a warrant of arrest issued by a Federal High Court in Kano on Wednesday, following his non-appearance before the court.
The warrant was issued by Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunusa when the defendants chose not to appear in court and enter their plea concerning the alleged arson charges.
Africa Today News, New York, has learned that Ali-Taan, the Managing Director of Alibert Products Nigeria Limited, and his employee Mustapha Tiamiyu are facing charges brought by the Inspector General of Police.
When the case was brought up for arraignment, Mr. Abdulsalam Saleh, the prosecution counsel, conveyed to the court that the defense counsel, acting as the surety for the defendants, pledged to produce them today for arraignment.
‘To our greatest dismay, the defense counsel chose to disrupt this court upon the opportunity and grace given to him.’
‘He should tell us why the defendants are not in court, as he promised to provide them at the last adjourned date on November 22.’
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‘We will file an application for the counsel to forfeit the bond he entered to produce the defendants pursuant to section 179 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015,’ Saleh said.
Responding to the situation, the defense counsel, Mr. Yahaya Isa-Abdulrashid, relayed to the court that his superior had forwarded a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, requesting the transfer of the case to Abuja.
‘My Lord, we sincerely apologise, for not providing the defendants in court.’
Nasir-Yunusa said the case is a criminal matter, ‘I don’t see how it can be transferred.’
‘I am disappointed the defense counsel failed to provide his clients as he promised today for arraignment.’ He adjourned the matter until January 17, 2024, for arraignment.
The defendants are charged with three counts bordering on conspiracy, arson, and an attempt to tamper with an electric transformer.
It is alleged that on December 20, 2021, the defendants conspired to willfully and maliciously set fire to a building located at No. 5c Murtala Muhammed Way, Kano, which they occupied as tenants and used as a showroom.
‘In the process, Ali-Taan made a fraudulent insurance claim on the said building.“The defendants also allegedly attempted to temper the electric cables and transformer used for supplying electricity to the said building.’
The prosecutor specified that the alleged offenses go against the statutes outlined in sections 3(6), 1(4)(a), and 1(19)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.