Nathaniel Ikyur
10 January 2001
Kano — The two suspects said to have applied corporal punishment on an Igbo trader in Kano, Mr. Livinus Obi for allegedly selling alcohol have been discharged and acquitted by a Sharia Court, sitting in Kano.
Their acquaintance followed the withdrawal of the suit against them by the liquor seller, who said he was not interested in pursuing the matter.
Mr. Obi who, on the eve of the New Year was given 80 strokes of the cane on the back, causing him injuries told the court that he decided to withdraw the case because "I have been living peacefully with the parents of the accused as such, it will be unwise for me to drag their sons to court."
"I have stayed for long at Dakata Quarters and all these years, I have lived peacefully with the people, particularly their parents who even lent me money to improve my business. So let the matter die a natural death," he told the judge.
The Presiding Khadi, Ustaz Sani Shuaibu after listening to the plaintiff's request asked him to put it in writing which he quickly did.
Mr. Obi's withdrawal of the assault case reads in part: "I, Livinus Obi, hereby withdraw my case from Sharia Court, Sahudu Kano. I don't want to proceed (sic) the case anymore between Anwalu Garba and Umar Suleiman, all of Dakata Quarters."
He said he preferred the cordial relationship that had existed between him and the family of the accused to be sustained and declared: "I hereby forgive and forget the incident. Please allow me to go now."
On receipt of the withdrawal letter, Ustaz Sani declared that following this development the court had no option than to discharge and acquit the accused persons.
The Police First Information Report (FIR) read by the prosecution police officer, Tsin Sani said the suspects were arraigned before the court for alleged trespassing, causing hurt, impersonation and theft which contravenes sections 348, 242, 288 and 132 of the Kano State Sharia Penal Code.
Vanguard learnt that prior to Tuesday's court session, a meeting was held between the Igbo community in Kano and the Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on Religious Affairs, Dr. Mahmud Tahar Adamu, where a peace agreement was signed to forestall an escalation of the tension already generated.
It was not clear the exact contents of the agreement entered into between the state government and the Igbo community as at press time.
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