Suspected police informant docked for inciting disturbance

By CALEB AYANSINA

 Abuja – A suspected informant alleged to have been working with the police on how to curb the activities of a prohibited religious sect in the northern part of the country, Boko Haram, was yesterday, docked by an Abuja magistrate court for inciting disturbance.

Aliyu Tasheku was arraigned for conspiracy, belonging to a prohibited religious sect and inciting disturbance, the alleged offences contravened Sections 97, 104, 109 and 114 of the Penal Code law.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant Bala Yinusa, told the court that on October 12, 2010, the accused granted an interview to the Voice of America and also in the same month  did the same on BBC all in Hausa news section.

He said  that: “The Federal Government should release all members of Boko Haram who were arrested  last year unconditionally.

“The Government should as a matter of fact stop arresting members of Boko Haram.

“The members of Boko Haram should be allowed to perform their religious duties and worship in the place they want.

“The members of Boko Haram should be treated with equity and justice as laid down by their late leader Mohammed Yusuf.”

When the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty and his counsel, Kevin Okoro, made an oral application for his bail, which was opposed to by the prosecutor.

Magitsrate Binta Mohammed, ordered his release since he had been in police custody for over five months.