Court Remands Prominent Philanthropist and Three Others in Adamawa Murder Case

Yola, Adamawa- July 4, 2025

A magistrate court in Yola, Adamawa State, has ordered philanthropist Dr. Emmanuel Musa and three other men to be held in prison custody. They are accused of killing Thomas Godwin Zamfara.

Presiding Chief Magistrate Uwani Danladi Mohammed issued the remand order on Friday and adjourned the case until July 7th, 2025. This adjournment allows time for the Adamawa State Ministry of Justice's Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to provide legal advice. The defendants will remain in custody until the next hearing.

The defendants formally charged are Godwin Chukukuyada, Danlami Nuhu, Ibrahim Bakari (also known as Mai Cross), and Dr. Emmanuel N. Musa. A fifth suspect, Stephen Peter, is currently at large.

They face charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide under sections 60 and 191 of the Adamawa State Penal Code (2018 as amended).

According to the prosecution's First Information Report (FIR) presented in court, the defendants attacked Zamfara on April 15th, 2025, while he was travelling from Fadama Rake to his hometown, Kala'a. The prosecution stated Zamfara was left unconscious by the roadside, rushed to the hospital, and pronounced dead by a doctor. The FIR specifically alleges Dr. Musa instigated and funded the attack.

During the arraignment, prosecution counsel Ezekiel Gidauna applied to substitute the original FIR (dated May 19th, 2025) with a new one (dated July 4th, 2025). Defense lawyers G. C. Adikwu and M. I. El-Yakub objected, arguing they didn't have the new document. The court overruled their objection, ordered the substitution, and directed that the new FIR be read and interpreted to the defendants in a language they understood (Hausa). All defendants confirmed they understood the charges after this.

However, Chief Magistrate Mohammed did not ask the defendants to enter pleas (guilty or not guilty). Defense counsel Adikwu argued this was a required legal step after explaining the charges.

Notably, Dr. Musa was permitted to remain seated during the arraignment due to reported dizziness. His lawyer stated he had been transported from Abuja to Yola on an intravenous drip, a request the court granted.

Hicia News