Court Threatens To Revoke Bail Of Former JAMB Deputy Director Over Improper Behavior

Justice H.A. Musa issued the warning after granting an oral application by N. Orji, the prosecution lawyer, to proceed with the trial following the breakdown of an out-of-court settlement.

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G) had filed charges against Usman, accusing him of character assassination and providing false information about Mabel Ishaku, a public servant. The charges, marked CR/654/2024, allege that on June 6, 2022, Usman at the JAMB National Headquarters in Abuja made defamatory statements about Ishaku. The charges are contrary to Section 392 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.

In the second count, Usman was accused of giving false information to a public servant on the same date at the JAMB office, an offense under Section 140(b) of the Penal Code Law.

Usman, who was granted bail on October 24, 2024, after pleading not guilty to the two counts, was informed by the court that the settlement process had failed. Orji, the prosecution lawyer, explained that after the court’s advice to explore settlement in December 2024, Usman submitted a written statement that contradicted the spirit of reconciliation.

Orji presented the write-up to the court, and Justice Musa directed the registrar to read it aloud. “Once you want to explore settlement, you don’t look at the back,” the judge told Usman, expressing frustration with the failure of the settlement process. Orji indicated that since the settlement was unsuccessful, they were ready to proceed with the trial, and their first prosecution witness, Mabel Ishaku, was present.

Ishaku took the stand and testified that Usman’s allegations against her were untrue. She explained that despite Usman’s claim to the contrary, his statements in the write-up continued to malign her. Usman, in his defense, argued that the write-up was intended to show his commitment to the settlement.

Justice Musa, disappointed with the development, said he had initially advised the parties to settle to allow for peace but now appeared to be forcing the matter. “I am only doing this because I am descending, not ascending. I will soon retire from service,” the judge remarked, suggesting that if Usman was not interested in settlement, the trial should continue.

In response, Usman stated that Ishaku had demanded an apology from him, to be published in two national dailies, and asked him to withdraw the petitions he had filed against the JAMB CEO. Ishaku denied these claims, saying she had neither suggested reconciliation nor requested that Usman withdraw his petitions. She clarified that it was Usman’s first lawyer who had advised settlement.

Usman, however, made it clear that he was not willing to withdraw his petitions or the case he had filed against the board at the National Industrial Court in Abuja. He insisted that the trial proceed.

Justice Musa, unhappy with Usman’s attitude, warned him, “I will revoke your bail. You cannot be taking to me this way. Look at what he said, ‘I want the case to proceed,’ even with impunity.” Usman’s lawyer, O.W. Bamigbaye, apologized on his behalf.

The judge then ordered the prosecution to call their first witness. Orji reminded the court that it was the defense’s turn to cross-examine Ishaku.

During cross-examination, Ishaku explained that she worked in the I-G’s office but was deployed to INTERPOL, serving two responsibilities. She testified that she first met Usman at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Abraka, during the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), where she was working undercover.

Ishaku further explained that Usman’s defamatory statements were not only harmful to her personally but also to her office, as they could tarnish the image of the police force. She also stated that such statements could endanger her, as she worked undercover, and potentially impact her career.

After the re-examination, Justice Musa adjourned the matter until May 6, May 13, and May 14, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.