Court Grants Bauchi Cleric, Idris Abdul’aziz, Bail

Bauchi Magistrate Court has granted bail to the chief imam of Dutsen-Tanshi Jumma’at Mosque, Imam Idris Abdul’aziz after he was charged with inciting public disturbance.

LEADERSHIP gathered that Fityanul Islam had petitioned the cleric to the police in Bauchi alleging that he uttered blasphemous comments against notable Dariqa leaders as well as prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW).

After honouring an invitation by the commissioner of police over the petition on Monday,  Idris was charged to Chief Magistrate Court no 1 on an alleged incitement of public disturbance, a bailable offence.

However, after the first mention of the case, the presiding judge, Abdulfatah Baba Shakuni ordered that Idris be remanded in Bauchi Correctional Centre before ruling on his bail application filed by his counsel, Barrister Umar Hassan.

Ruling on the bail application, Shakuni granted the applicant bail on the conditions that he provides two sureties including a serving permanent secretary working with state government and a district head within Bauchi metropolis.

The judge added that each of the sureties must have a landed property worth over N5,000,000 at a location familiar to the court.

In addition, in the event that Idris failed to appear before the court during the next hearing, the sureties will deposit the sum of N1,000,000.

Meanwhile, Bauchi State attorney-general and commissioner for justice through the state Solicitor General, Barrister Aliyu Ibn Idris have taken over the case from the police.

The counsel to Imam Idris, Barrister Sadiq Abubakar, said they would work towards fulfilling all the “rigid” bail conditions.

He said they will apply for a variation of the bail conditions if they were unable to meet them.

The case has been adjourned to May 24, 2023 for continuation of hearing.