Reporting by Emmanuel Awari
Jalingo, Nigeria —Residents of Doorshima in the Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State have called for the removal of Judge Saidu Muhammad from the Grade I Area Court in Ibi, accusing him of harassment and intimidation in connection with a dispute over fish ponds.
The plea was made by Mr. Istifanus Moses, the Madakin Doorshima, during an interaction with journalists in Jalingo on Wednesday.
Moses, alongside other community members, alleged that Judge Muhammad, an indigene of Ibi, conspired with individuals Adamu Suleiman Tafida and Alih Buhari to forcibly seize their fish ponds, which they claim legally belong to them under the Sarkin Kudu Traditional Council.
“We are going through hell in the hands of Judge Saidu Muhammad. His associates, Adamu Tafida and Alih Buhari, are using his position to unlawfully seize our property,” Moses said.
The dispute centers on fish ponds located along the River Benue. Residents insist that the ponds are situated under the jurisdiction of the Sarkin Kudu Traditional Council, not the Ibi Traditional Council, as claimed by Tafida and Buhari.
Despite various official directives from the National Boundary Commission, the Taraba State Boundary Commission, and the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs urging both parties to maintain the original boundary demarcation, Judge Muhammad allegedly disregarded these instructions.
On January 11, 2025, the judge reportedly ordered the arrest of Mallam Ibrahim, the Ward Head of Doorshima, who was detained in Ibi police custody until his release on January 12, 2025. The release occurred after intervention by the Ibi Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Iliya Jibu.
The community members also expressed frustration over a series of incidents that hampered their access to the court.
They claimed that despite honoring a summons from the court, they were blocked by a directive from influential figures in Ibi town to prevent them from crossing the river to attend the hearing.
“The judge ignored our explanation and proceeded to order the detention of the Madakin Doorshima,” Moses added.
In response to the allegations, Judge Saidu Muhammad denied any wrongdoing, insisting that his actions were based on a legitimate complaint filed by Alih Buhari regarding the disputed fish ponds.
He emphasized that the court had issued a summons to Moses and the Madakin Doorshima, but they failed to appear, prompting the decision to issue an arrest warrant for contempt.
“This is a normal procedure in court,” Muhammad said. “The case must be mentioned, and those summoned must appear.”
The community is now appealing to the Taraba State Judicial Service Commission and relevant authorities to address what they describe as ongoing intimidation and harassment by the judge.