Zamfara State Magistrate Court 1 was full on Wednesday as a former minister, Ikra Aliyu Bilbis; Ambassador Mohammed Mairiga and other arrested Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains appeared for trial over alleged criminal conspiracy, public disturbances and other charges.
The defence counsel, Barrister Junaidu Abubakar, argued that the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the case, quoting some sections of Zamfara State laws.
According to him, Section 3 Law of Zamfara State, 2002 and Section 5 of the same law gave the power to the magistrate court to transfer the case to the appropriate Shari’a court for determination.
The presiding judge, Saadi Gurbin Bore, transferred the case to Upper Shari’a court in Gusau, the state capital.
It was reports that there was tight security from the Government House to the court, with security operatives fully armed.
This medium also reports that PDP supporters demonstrated from the Magistrate Court 1 to the Upper Shari’a court, demanding their leaders’ unconditional release.