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The Kano State police have arraigned Usman Musa and Abubakar
Hamidu before a Kano Chief Magistrate Court on a four-count allegation of
allegedly conspiring to kill the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero.

According to the charge sheet read out, Usman Musa, a
19-year-old resident of Layin Habu Hanifa, and Abubakar Hamidu, a 65-year-old
resident of Batakaye village, both in Kano metropolis, on July 9, 2010,
criminally conspired and abetted to kill his royal highness.

“You, Usman Musa ‘m’ of Dourayi quarters, Kano went to the house
of Abubakar Hamidu of Batakaye quarters, Kano and criminally conspired on
assignment to kill his royal highness, Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero.

“Where you (Abubakar Hamidu) gave him one gas wielding muzzle
iron, in the shape of a pistol, to throw at the emir, after jumma’at prayers at
Kano Central Mosque, and you also gave him a tiny charm to put in his mouth,
that after the assignment he (Usman Musa) is going to disappear.” The two
pleaded not guilty to the four-count allegation of criminal conspiracy, attempt
to commit homicide, abetment and being in possession of dangerous weapon
brought against them before the court.

“I do not have a lawyer. The old man has not conspired with me
and I did not intend to do anything to the emir. The old man is a spiritualist
to my mother. I want the court to release me on bail,” Mr Musa said.

Junaidu Aminu, the police prosecutor, told the court that the
police investigation into the matter was still in progress. He, therefore,
prayed the court to adjourn the matter to another date for mention.

Plea for bail

Yahya Abdullahi, counsel to Mr Hamidu, applied for the accused
man to be released on bail. He said his client was a respectable Islamic
scholar and cited the deteriorating health status of the accused as a reason
why the court should admit him to bail.

“The health of the accused is deteriorating and even before us
here he almost fell down. He is an old man. Since his arrest, he has been in
police custody. The accused is presumed innocent until he is tried and found
guilty. At this stage, it is a mere allegation,” he said.

“He will not escape from justice. He will not commit any offence
if granted bail. I want to refer this honourable court to the case of the
federal government versus Asari Dokubo reported in Nigeria weekly law report.
The Supreme court said the court could admit an accuse into bail provided there
is assurance the accuse will face his trial.” Mr Aminu objected to the bail
request.

“The charges levelled against the accused persons are serious in
nature. Bayero is a father to all and justice of peace. The bail application
ought not to be granted to avoid repetition,” he said.

The court ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison
custody till September 29, for its ruling on the application for bail.

The court also ordered the counsel to furnish the court registrar with
copies of the citation made in his application for the release of one of the
accused on bail.