It appears President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade may be facing serious hitches as Bauchi State Police Command yesterday arraigned the Secretary of an anti-corruption coalition, Yakubu Alhaji Jibrin.

His arraignment according to Chief Magistrate Garba Inuwa Sambo, followed criminal conspiracy relating to publication of official information of the Bauchi State Government.

The Chief Magistrate had initially maintained that the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the charges filed against the accused, saying it must get the consent of the State, Federal or Director of Public Prosecution in tandem with appropriate laws.

The police prosecutor, Tizhe, had applied for the adjournment of the case to enable him present before the court, the necessary documents required by the court before proceeding in the case.

Counsel to the defendant, Barrister Charles Amadi, applied for bail for the accused.

He said the bail became necessary because of the deteriorating health of his client as he said police has no facilities to take care of him.

However, in his ruling, the Chief Magistrate said the accused should be kept under police custody and should be allowed access to a reputable hospital even as the case was adjourn to January 6, 2016 for hearing.

It could be recalled that the anti- corruption group, Bauchi State Coalition Against Financial Crimes and Injustice, of which Jibrin is the General Secretary, had recently placed an advertorial in one of the national dailies titled, “An open letter to President Buhari and the Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly”, urging them to investigate Governor Mohammed Abubakar for alleged financial crimes.

The Police First Information Report (FIR) said that the publication of the open letter by the accused is an offence contrary to section 96, 114 and 416 of the penal code of law and section 1 (I) (A)(B) of the Official Secrets Acts Cap.03 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria

Leader of the group, Adamu Ahmed, in a chat with newsmen described the arrest of the accused as a set-back for President Muhammadu Buhari’s attempt to fight corruption. He cautioned the government not to use police intimidation to hide financial crimes, pointing out that this is not part of APC change mantra.

•Adapted from a National Mirror report. Photo shows Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi.

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