By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo.
The Doorshima Community of Ibi Local Government Area in Taraba State has called on the Judicial Service Commission, the state Chief Judge, Justice Joel Agya, to remove Saidu Muhammad, the judge in charge of grade (I ) area Court in Ibi for allegedly harassing and intimidating residents.
Mr Istifanus Moses and Madakin Doorshima alleged in an interview with journalists in Jalingo stated that the area court judge, alongside Mr Adamu Suleiman Tafida, and Alih Buhari, have conspired and confiscated some fishpond belonging to them.
“We want to appeal to the Taraba state Judicia Service commission and the chief Judge to transfer Saidu Muhammad, the judge in charge of grade ( I) area court Ibi to liberate us from his harassment and intimidation.
“The judge is from Ibi is using his brothers, Adamu Tafida and Alih Buhari to forcefully confiscate fishpond belonging to Doshima Community under Sarkin kudu Chifdom.
“The judge had earlier in the disputed case of some fish ponds that was filed before the grade I area court, ignored letters from the national boundary commission, the Taraba state boundary commission and the bureau for local government and chieftaincy Affairs, directing both parties to maintained the initial demarcation on river Benue.
“Despite these directives, the judge on Saturday 11th January 2025, flagrantly ordered for the arrest and detention of the ward head of Doorshima, Mallam Ibrahim until the Ibi local government council chairman, Iliya Jibu intervened the following day.
“We want both the JSC to investigate the activities of the judge and save us from his unjust activities,” the community members on behalf of the community alleged.
However, when contacted, Saidu Muhammad, denied the allegations against him.
“I do no know both Mr Istifanus Moses and Madakin Doorshima in person. Their allegations against me is falsehood. All my actions and decisions are based on the rule of law and just,” Muhammad denied.
