Justice Joel Agya, the Taraba Chief Judge has urged the Commissioner of police in the state, Mr David Iloyanomon to arrest and prosecute Mr Shiban Tikari, the former Chairman, Takum Local Government council over abduction and killing of Mr Hosea Ibi.
Recall that Ibi, a serving member representing Takum 1 constituency in the Taraba assembly was abducted in Takum on Dec 30, 2017 and was few days later, found dead
Agya disclosed this while delivering judgement in the case between the State Vs Mwarga Iormbaga and another, who were arrested and charged over the late law maker’s abduction and killing.
The judge, who sentence the two defendants to life imprisonment for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping, expressed dismay over the failure of the police to arrest and prosecute Mr Tikari, the then Chairman, Takum Local Government Council, who has been linked to the incident.
“I am dismayed over the failure of the police to arrest and prosecute Shiban Tikari despite all the evidence that he ordered the abduction and killing of Ibi after collecting ransom.
“The charge of culpable homicide punishable by death is not proved beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecuting council against the defendants and the stand acquitted.
“I want to urge the Commissioner of police in the state to revisit this case to ensure that true justice prevails so that the late law maker’s soul which must be crying for justice will rest in peace.
“The defendants in their separate confessional statements said Tikari asked them to abduct Ibi so that the ransom would be used in purchasing arms to fight herdsmen in the area but later instructed their leader, one Terkula to kill the victim,” he said.
Mr Mahanar Puki, counsel to the defendants, who reacted to the judgement wondered why Tikari, who has been mentioned by all the defendants as the principal actor in the incident was not arrested by the police for prosecution.
Mr Abubakar Mustapha, the prosecuting counsel also expressed surprise at the failure of the police to arrest and prosecute the former Takum Chairman despite glaring evidence linking him to the abduction and killing of the law maker.
Mustapha noted that he would use the comment of the judge in the judgement to engage the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) to take the necessary action to ensure justice in the case.
