By Our Court Reporter

The Gombe Chief Magistrate’s Court No. 1, presided over by Magistrate Musa Saleh Kilawa, has granted bail to Engineer Suleiman Ibrahim Danwawu of Manawachi Quarters, Gombe, who is facing charges bordering on alleged defamation of character and injurious falsehood.

Engineer Danwawu was arraigned over allegations that he, alongside Abba Sani Pantami and Hafiz Aliyu Kabade, who are currently at large, published and reproduced what the prosecution described as false statements on their respective Facebook accounts concerning Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, a gubernatorial aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State.

According to the prosecution, the alleged publication, made on July 28, 2026, falsely claimed that Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna had been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged diversion of funds belonging to the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).

The prosecution alleged that the publication was made with the intention of causing harm to Dr. Gwamna’s reputation, or with knowledge or reason to believe that the statement could damage his reputation.

Presenting the case before the court, the State Counsel and Prosecutor, Barrister B. A. Mahmoud, said the alleged offences contravened Sections 79, 391 and 393 of the Penal Code Law.

When the charges were read and explained to him, Engineer Dawawu pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Following his plea, his counsel, Barrister Emma Dilos Lasmadas, applied for his bail pursuant to Section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and Section 177(1) of the Gombe State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2020.

After considering the bail application, the court granted Engineer Dawawu bail subject to conditions which he is required to fulfil.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until August 31, 2026, for hearing.

The case remains before the court, and the allegations against the defendant are yet to be proven. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

By Our Court Reporter

The Federal High Court No. 1, Gombe, presided over by Hon. Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, has reserved judgment in the suit filed by Alhaji Hamma saleh Abdulkadir, challenging the emergence of Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election.

The matter, which was first heard on 9 July 2026, came up for continuation on Thursday, 23 July 2026.

At the previous sitting, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barrister S. O. Onaghba, applied for an extension of time to enable him regularise his processes before the court. The application was granted, and the case was adjourned to 23 July 2026 for hearing.

At Thursday’s proceedings, all parties moved their respective preliminary objections and adopted their final written addresses.

Appearing for the parties were Barrister Toli Babalele and his legal team for the plaintiff, Mr. A. A. Ajibade, SAN, for the PDP, A. G. Kahinde, SAN, for Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, and Barrister S. O. Onaghba for INEC.

Among those present in court were the plaintiff, Alhaji Hammasale Abdulkadir, the PDP State Secretary, Alhaji Adamu Haruna Abubakar, and the party’s State Organising Secretary, Hassan Mohammed Santana.

After listening to submissions from all counsel, Hon. Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed reserved the matter for judgment. A date for the judgment is expected to be communicated to the parties.

The case is being closely watched by political stakeholders across Gombe State, as the outcome is expected to have significant implications for the PDP’s preparations ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

By Our Correspondent

The Chief Magistrate Court No. 2 sitting in Gombe has ordered that two defendants, Muhammad Sunusi Abdullahi, also known as “Ataka,” and Ahmed Daudu Dinawa, also known as “Jadda,” be remanded in police custody over their alleged involvement in the unlawful invasion of the VIP section of the Gombe State International Airport.

The order was made on Monday by the presiding Chief Magistrate, Aliyu Abubakar, after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The defendants are facing charges bordering on criminal trespass, disobedience to a lawful order duly promulgated by a public servant, obstruction of public servants in the discharge of their lawful duties, intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace, inciting public disturbance, and mischief.

Presenting the case, the police prosecutor, Barrister Umehi Thomas, told the court that the alleged offences occurred on 15 July 2026 at about 12:00 p.m. during the arrival of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Governorship Candidate in Gombe State, Dr. Bala Bello Tinka, at the Gombe State International Airport.

According to the prosecution, the defendants, alongside other suspects who are currently at large, allegedly forcefully invaded the airport, destroyed the security lock at the Executive Gate leading to the VIP section, and unlawfully gained access to the restricted area.

The prosecutor further informed the court that airport security personnel and management officials made several attempts to stop the defendants, but the efforts proved unsuccessful as the suspects allegedly became violent and verbally abused the security officials.

Barrister Thomas added that the value of the damaged property is yet to be determined as investigations are still ongoing.

He told the court that the alleged offences are punishable under Sections 79, 342, 148, 143, 399, 114, and 326 of the Penal Code, and urged the court to remand the defendants, arguing that investigations have not been concluded.

Counsel to the defendants, Barrister Ayuba Rabiu, opposed the application for remand. He argued that the court had the discretion to grant bail, relying on Section 177 of the Gombe State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2020.

The defence counsel further submitted that the defendants had already spent five days in police custody since 16 July 2026, and urged the court to exercise its powers by admitting them to bail pending the conclusion of investigations.

After listening to both parties, Chief Magistrate Aliyu Abubakar ordered that the defendants remain in police custody.

The court subsequently adjourned the substantive case to 5 August 2026 for hearing, while the ruling on the defendants’ bail application has been fixed for Thursday, 23 July 2026.