Defamation: Rabo’s Defence Counsel Withdrew From Case

The trial between the Kaduna State Filmmakers and Director-General, Kano State Censorship Board (KSCB), Malam Abubakar Rabo Abdulkareem has taken a new dimension. Prior to yesterday’s sitting at Court One, Magistrate Court, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna, a Kano State High Court presided over by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Shehu Atiku has issued an order barring police from arresting or detaining the KSCB boss.
The case, which is presided over by Chief Magistrate Nasiru Idris Lere, has yesterday end with a dramatic session as the counsel of the accuse, Barrister Gideon Didam, honourable withdrew with his team of lawyers from the case on grounds of protecting their professional integrity. “We are completely ignorant of the court order restricting the arrest of our client. We are in this vain, going to allow the judicial court to take its position, may be that is why the accused is absent today.” Said the defence counsel.
Similarly, the counsel to the complainants, Barrister Sadau Garba, represented by Barrister Mohammad Sunusi, argued that the said order from the Kano high court seems not authentic as the document was a photocopy instead of original. Sighting technical inferiorities, Barrister Sunusi disputed the order under section 158/D&E of CPC. He urged the court to continue the proceeding.
The Chief Magistrate, in his ruling said the court will ignore the matter to avoid judicial rascality. Adding that the registrar of the court will forward the said order to the Kaduna State Anthony general for verification and further directives. Meanwhile, June 28, 2010 was fixed for further hearing on the case.