Kano court reduces bail for cleric accused of forgery
Kano State High Court Reduces Bail for Cleric Facing Fraud Charges
KANO, Nigeria — A Kano State High Court has modified the bail conditions for Islamic cleric Ibrahim Abdullahi Isa, who is accused of forging land ownership documents for two properties located along Ahmadu Bello Way in Kano.
Justice Jamilu Shehu Suleiman reassessed the previous bail terms after Isa spent approximately two weeks in custody without fulfilling the requirements set by a Senior Magistrate Court.
Isa faces allegations of forging title documents purportedly belonging to Kassim Usman Baba and Audu Yaro Fagge. He was first arraigned on January 21 before Magistrate Mustapha Sa’ad Datti.
At that time, bail was set at N20 million, requiring two sureties of equal value. One surety was mandated to be a traditional ruler with an official letter from the Kano Emirate Council, while the other had to be a prominent businessman possessing property valued at N50 million within Kano. Additionally, the court stipulated that Isa surrender his international passport.
Unable to meet these stringent conditions, Isa, represented by lawyers Abubakar Abdullahi Isa and Bashir Sabiu, petitioned the High Court for a review. His legal team contended that the accused offense is bailable and that the terms imposed were excessively rigorous.
Following hearings from both the defense and prosecution, Justice Suleiman agreed to amend the bail conditions, reducing the bail amount from N20 million to N5 million. He also ordered that Isa provide two sureties: one being his attorney, Barrister Abubakar Abdullahi Isa, and the other a sibling, who must present an affidavit demonstrating their financial capability.
