Four Young Women Arraigned in Kaduna High Court for Assaulting EFCC Personnel and Obstructing Suspect’s Arrest

Four young women have been arraigned in the Kaduna State High Court on charges of assault and obstructing officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a lawful arrest. The incident occurred on April 15, 2024, when EFCC personnel attempted to arrest a suspect, Hadiza Usman, at a residence on Jafar Organizer Street in Rigachukun, Kaduna.

The four defendants—Rukayya Ahmed Mustapha, Sadiya Usman Mohammed, Ameera Uthman, and Nafisat Usman—were arraigned before Justice A.A. Bello on April 24, 2024, on charges of obstructing lawful duty. All four pleaded not guilty, leading to the prosecution counsel, K.S. Ogunlade, requesting a trial date to present witnesses and evidence.

During the court proceedings, Justice Bello remanded three of the suspects at the Kaduna Correctional Centre, while the fourth, Sadiya Usman Mohammed, a nursing mother, was remanded in EFCC custody. The judge adjourned the case to May 2, 2024, for the hearing of the suspects’ bail applications.

The EFCC alleged that the four suspects openly attacked its officers when they attempted to arrest Hadiza Usman, who had evaded previous attempts at apprehension and had jumped bail several times. According to the EFCC, the suspects dragged, pulled, and bit the officers in an attempt to prevent the arrest. Despite this aggression, the EFCC officers maintained discipline and professionalism, subduing the suspects without resorting to violence.

Justice Bello’s decision to remand the suspects indicates the serious nature of the charges, and the upcoming court date will determine the next steps in the legal process. The EFCC has emphasized its commitment to enforcing the law and ensuring accountability, regardless of resistance from suspects or their associates.