By ISHOLA MICHAEL, Bauchi

All may not have been heard of the violence that marred the 21st memorial anniversary of late Baba Peter Gonto on 30th and 31st December 2021 as the Bauchi state government has dragged the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Barr Yakubu Dogara and 28 others before a Bauchi High Court for 11 count criminal charges.

The criminal charges against the defendants were necessitated by the alleged killings and destruction of properties that followed the disruption of the celebration of the leader and crusader of the Sayawa nation held Bogoro, headquarters of Bogoro local government areas of Bauchi state.

As contained in the charge sheet endorsed by the Chief Registrar of the High Court of Bauchi State, the eleven count charge made public on Friday included that Yakubu Dogara who is the number one defendant alongside 28 others were accused of conspiring to cause bodily harm to people in the area in order to frustrate the progress of the memorial anniversary.

The eleven count suit reads in part: “Pursuant to Sections 98 (1) & (2), 100 (b) and 103 (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Bauchi State, 2018. Count One: That you, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the male of Maitama, Abuja-FCT, Air Commodore Ishaku Komo (Rtd), male of Kaduna-Abuja Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Rev. Markus Musa, male of Tafawa Balewa Town, Peter Emmanuel, the male of Tafawa Balewa Town, Ga’Allah Daniel, male of Tafawa Balewa Town, Iliya Emmanuel, male of Tafawa Balewa Town”

The charge sheet further contained that, “On or about the 29th, 30 and/or 31st day of December 2021 agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to incite the Youths of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Towns to disturb public peace by burning people’s houses, blocking access roads, physically attacking invited guests and other participants attending the 21″Year Memorial Anniversary and Book Launch of Late Baba Peter Gonto at Bogoro Town a destroy and burn all facilities provided for the occasion, there by committe offence contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Bauchi State”.

Also contained is that, “On or about the 29th, 30th and/or 31st day of December, 2021 agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to commit the offence Mischief by Fire by burning people’s houses in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro To during the 21″Year Memorial Anniversary and Book Launch of Late Baba Pe Gonto at Bogoro Town and to destroy and burn all facilities provided for the occasion, thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of the penal code law of Bauchi state”.

“On or about the 29,30th and/or 31st day of December, 2021 agreed to do or cause to be done an illegal act to wit: you conspired amongst yourselves and others at large to commit the offence of Culpable Homicide during the Year Memorial Anniversary and Book Launch of Late Baba Peter Gonto at Bo Town and that you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Bauchi State”, Yakubu Dogara and others were also accused.

Though the charge did not contain the number of people who were killed in the violent attack, nor number of houses razed, unconfirmed reports had it that not fewer than 6 people were killed while many houses, cars and other properties were set ablaze by hoodlums.

Also, the Emirs of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu and Dass, Alh Usman Bilyaminu Othman were attacked leading to the damage of cars in the two convoys including the official vehicle of the Emir of Dass.

No date has been fixed for the commencement of the case but court processes are being served as indicated by the charge sheet prepared by Hassan U. El-Yakub (SAN) leading Counsel to Bauchi state Government.

It will be recalled that the former Speaker, Yakubu Dogara had allegedly written a letter to the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of State Security Services, warning that there was impending security threat if the 21st remembrance anniversary of Baba Gonto was allowed to hold a development that led to accusation and counter-accusations among prominent Sayawa people. (Nigerian Tribune)

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