By Muhammad Tanko Shittu
A magistrate’s court in Plateau State has made the decision to revoke the bail granted to Noah Kekere, a quack doctor who is facing allegations of organ harvesting in the state. The revocation comes as a result of strong objections raised by the Nigeria Police Force, the Plateau State Ministry of Justice, and the Nassarawa Gwong community, who have accused the court of being complicit in granting the bail.
On Tuesday, Chief Magistrate Joseph Chollom granted Mr. Kekere’s bail application. However, barely 48 hours later, the Plateau State Police Command rearrested Mr. Kekere and brought him before the chief magistrate for arraignment. During the proceedings on Thursday, the judge ordered that Mr. Kekere be remanded in custody, along with two others suspected to be his accomplices.
Meanwhile, some of the alleged victims of organ harvesting, as well as members of the Yan’shanu Community in Jos, have written a petition to the chief judge of the state, expressing their dismay with the handling of the case by Mr. Chollom. The petition, signed by Buhari I. Shehu, highlights their concerns over the lack of notice given to the police and the Ministry of Justice regarding the bail application, as well as the failure to include the application on the court cause list.
The petitioners are urging the chief judge to take all necessary steps to ensure that the accused do not escape justice. Mr. Shehu emphasized that Mr. Chollom’s failure to abide by the court’s rules poses a serious threat to the justice system and undermines the integrity of the judiciary.
