By Laleye Dipo in Minna
A Minna-based motor dealer, Saidu Maiturari, has been arraigned before a Minna Chief Magistrate’s court for alleged armed robbery, criminal conspiracy and receiving stolen vehicles.
The “very popular” motor dealer was arrested along with 10 other suspects about three months ago by the Inspector General of Police Special Tactical Squad and were paraded before journalists at the Bosso police station in the Niger State capital by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Assistant Commissioner of Police Jimoh Moshood.
Not less than 50 vehicles of different brands and some arms were also displayed to newsmen by the FPRO during the exercise.
Maiturari, 63, who was arraigned alone without the other suspects, was also charged with unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, forgery and assisting in concealment.
The offences, according to the Police First Information Report (FIR), were contrary to sections 79,298 sub section C, 27A sub-1 of, firearms act 2004 and the Penal Code.
Prosecuting Police Inspector Emmanuel Bassa told the court that Maiturari allegedly conspired with other members of the gang led by Bala Aliyu of Chanchaga area to rob Mohammed Turaki of Kaffin -Tella area Minna of his Honda Accord 2009 model valued at N2.2 million.
However Chief Magistrate Hassan Mohammed said the court lacked the jurisdiction to try the case and ordered that the accused person should be remanded in prison custody while prosecution duplicate the case file and send it to the state Ministry of Justice for legal advice.
Mohammed also advised the counsel to the suspect to forward his bail application to the High Court which has the jurisdiction to handle the case before adjourning it to June 12 for further mention.
