A Federal High Court in Jigawa has fixed March 26 for hearing on an application seeking the unconditional release and reuniting of Walida Abdulhadi, a teenager allegedly abducted and sexually abused by a Department of State Security operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi.
Walida Abdulhadi, a resident of Hadejia local government area, was allegedly abducted and sexually abused by Onyewuenyi, a DSS operative, in 2023
The court sitting, which took place on Wednesday in Dutse, the state capital, was expected to proceed with the case, but the defence counsel, Barrister Abdulmalik Sani, requested an extension of time to file a counter affidavit.
On his submission, the defence counsel, Sani, had requested time to respond to the prosecution’s application, citing the need to gather more information.
During the court sitting, the Prosecution Counsel, Barrister Kabir Adamu, informed the court that he was ready to proceed, but the defence counsel’s request led to the adjournment.
Prosecution Counsel, barrister Kabiru Adamu, while briefing journalists after the court sitting. Photo credit: Salisu Kabuga
The trial judge, Justice Hassan Dikko, consequently, adjourned the case until March 26, 2026, for the hearing of preliminary objections and all pending applications.
“The respondents, through their lawyers, applied for a little time to put their house in order as they claimed they’re preparing their counter affidavit and need some information to set their records straight,” Adamu told our correspondent after the court session.
Adamu explained that the prosecution is seeking the court’s intervention to compel the DSS to hand over the suspect, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, to the Commissioner of Police in Jigawa for discreet investigation.
“We are in court to move the court to grant an application seeking the unconditional release and reunification of the victim with her family,” Adamu said.
The prosecution counsel emphasised that the DSS’s involvement in the case as an interested party negates their interest, and conducting an investigation would compromise a fair hearing.
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