Shari’a court revokes bail, orders re-arrest of embattled Imam, Dusten Tanshi

The Upper Shari’a Court in Bauchi has again issued an arrest warrant for Chief Imam, Idris Abdul’azeez Dutsen Tanshi, after he failed to appear in court on January 17, 2023.

Presiding Judge, Malam Hussaini A. Turaki disagreed with the defense counsel’s suggestion to consider the Court of Appeal’s order in Jos.

Abdul’aziz is standing trial before the court bordering on an alleged incitement of public disturbance of peace and blasphemy following a petition against him to the police.

It was alleged that the Imam, in one of his Ramadan Tafsir sessions, passed blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) and some notable Dariqa clerics.

However, after hearing the arguments from both counsels, the presiding judge insisted that the accused person must appear in court despite the bail granted earlier since it was a criminal case.

The counsel to the plaintiff, UB Umar, explained that despite multiple attempts to summon the defendant, including public announcements and substitute service, he refused to appear.

On the defense side, Ahmad M Umar insisted that the court should respect the Court of Appeal’s previous order as he highlighted errors in the revocation of bail.

Consequently, the case was adjourned until January 24, 2024, for the continuation of the hearing with the accused person in court.