Just In: Court Sends Dr Emmanuel Musa, 3 Others to Prison for Allegedly Killing Thomas Zamfara

The Chief Magistrate Court III sitting in Yola Adamawa State on Friday, ordered the remand of a Frontline Philantropist, Dr. Emmanuel Musa, and 3 others in prison custody for allegedly killing Thomas Godwin Zamfara. News Platform 

The court presided by Chief Magistrate Uwani Danladi Mohammed, ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to the 7th July, 2025.

According to the court, the adjournment is to await legal advice from the DPP Ministry of Justice Adamawa state. With this order Dr. Emmanuel Musa and 3 others will remain behind bars until then.

The defendants arraigned in court include Godwin Chukukuyada, Danlami Nuhu, Ibrahim Bakari (aka Mai Cross), Stephen Peter currently at large and Dr Emmanuel N. Musa.

They were arraigned for the offence of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide contrary to sections 60 and 191 of Adamawa State Penal Code 2018 as amended.

According to the First Information Report tendered in court, the defendants had attacked the late Thomas Godwin Zamfara who was on his way from Fadama Rake to Kala'a his hometown on the 15th April, 2025.

The prosecution narrated that the deceased was left unconscious on the road side, and that he was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead by a Medical Doctor.

The prosecution further informed the court that it was Dr. Emmanuel N. Musa who instigated and sponsored the defendants to carrout the act.

Arraigning the Defendants, Counsel to the Prosecution, Ezekiel Gidauna Esq, applied for the substitution of the FIR dated 19th May, 2025 with the one dated 4th July, 2025.

Responding to the application, Counsel to the Defendants, G. C. Adikwu, who appeared along side M. I. El-Yakub objected to the application to substitute what according to him they do not have.

The court overruled the objection of Counsels to the defendants and ordered that the FIR be substituted, read and interpreted to the defendants in a language they will understand.

When the FIR was read and interpreted to the defendants in Hausa language, the defendants said they understood the allegations except Dr. Emmanuel N  Musa who replied that he did understand until it was read to him again for the 2nd time.

However, the Chief Magistrate Uwani did not asked the defendants whether they are guilty or not as alleged by the prosecution.

Addressing the court on its failure to ask the defendants whether they are guilty or not, G. C. Adikwu, argued that the provision of the law is that whenever the defendants are asked whether they understand allegations against them, they must also be asked whether they are guilty or not.

Earlier, G. C. Adikwu prayed the court to allow Dr. Emmanuel N. Musa to be arraigned while seated because of dizziness, saying that his client was brought from Abuja to Yola on drip and that he should be allowed to sit down which the court granted the prayers.