Sharia Court Summoned By Zamfara State Chief Judge over Ruling

The Zamfara State Chief Judge, Justice Kulu Aliyu, yesterday summoned the judge of the High Shariah Court in Faru, Maradun Local Government Area of the state, Mallam Aliyu Mohammed Madachi, to appear before it over a ruling.

The chief judge summoned him during her tour to the Talata Mafara satellite prison when an inmate, Aliyu Musa Dankande, alleged that the Shariah Court judge ruled that he should pay N45,000 for a sheep.

“Yes, I stole my uncles sheep and sold it for N19,000, anad when I was arrested, the police recovered N15,000 from me. Despite that, the judge went ahead and ruled that I should pay N45,000. The judge also ordered that my farmland be sold to raise the N45,000. It was sold as directed and at end of the day, the judge sentenced me to five months in prison and ordered that I should be given 50 strokes of cane. So far, I have spent three weeks in prison,” he said.

Following the inmate’s statement, the Chief Judge summoned the judge. When he appeared, she asked him why he valued a sheep which he did not see at N 45,000, and whether he could pay N45,000 for a sheep. In his defence, the judge said his ruling was based on the inmate’s confession.

“I did not see the sheep, but the police valued it at N60,000.  Because the amount given by the police was on the high side, I asked sheep sellers around to give us an estimate and they gave us N45,000. That is why I ruled that he should pay that amount and his family paid,” he said.

Responding, the Chief Judge asked the judge to always have the fear of God when administering justice. She then discharged and acquitted the inmate.

The Grand Khadi of the state, Mallam Lawal Abubakar Gummi, who was among the team, also summoned the Shariah Court judge to appear before him in Gusau over the issue.