Former Shari’a Court Judge Charged with Assaulting Visually Impaired Kaduna Housewife Granted Bail

A retired Upper Shari’a Court Judge, Mahmoud Shehu, has been granted bail by a Magistrate Court in Zaria, Kaduna State, over allegations of assaulting a visually impaired housewife.

The court, presided over by Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Adamu Salisu, approved bail for Shehu on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, stipulating that he must provide two sureties who are civil servants on grade level 10.

The sureties are required to submit their promotion letters, passport photographs, residential addresses, and phone numbers.

Additionally, Shehu is to deposit N100,000 as part of the bail conditions. 

The magistrate ruled that failure to meet these conditions would result in Shehu’s remand at the correctional facility until the next hearing, scheduled for February 11, 2025.

Shehu was re-arraigned on charges of criminal trespass, assault, and use of force, allegedly violating Sections 327, 237, and 239 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State, 2017

According to the prosecutor, Adamu Abubakar, the incident occurred on September 6, 2024, when the ex-judge reportedly forced his way into the home of the blind housewife, locked the main gate, and physically assaulted her.

Two women who attempted to intervene were also allegedly attacked during the incident. The victim sustained injuries and was treated at the PHC Tudun Wada.

Shehu denied the charges when questioned by the court.

The case was initially filed at the Magistrate Court Tudun Wada, Zaria, on September 10, 2024, but faced multiple delays.

Following the withdrawal of Senior Magistrate Lukman Sidi due to undisclosed reasons, the matter was transferred to Chief Magistrate Court 1, Chediya, for reassignment.

The next hearing is expected to delve deeper into the allegations and the defendant’s plea.