A Yola magistrate court has ordered the remand of prominent Adamawa philanthropist and billionaire, Dr Emmanuel N. Musa, alongside three others, over their alleged involvement in the assassination of a popular local politician, Thomas Godwin, widely known as Zamfara.
The order was issued by Chief Magistrate Uwani Danladi Mohammed of Magistrate Court III, following their arraignment on charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide. The charges are in violation of Sections 60 and 191 of the Adamawa State Penal Code (2018, as amended).
Dr Musa, who is the President of the Emnamu Foundation, was arraigned alongside co-defendants Godwin Chukukuyada, Danlami Nuhu, and Ibrahim Bakari (aka Mai Cross). A fifth suspect, Stephen Peter, is still on the run.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the suspects allegedly ambushed Godwin on April 15, 2025, while he was traveling from Fadama Rake to Kala’a. He was reportedly found unconscious by the roadside and later died at the hospital.
The prosecution, led by Ezekiel Gidauna, Esq., alleged that Dr Musa financed and orchestrated the deadly attack. The FIR also noted the prosecution’s request to replace the original charge sheet dated May 19 with a new one dated July 4. Despite objections from defence counsels G.C. Adikwu and M.I. El-Yakub, the court granted the request.
During the proceedings, the charges were read in Hausa. While the co-accused acknowledged understanding, Dr Musa initially did not, prompting the court to have the charges re-read for clarity.
The court did not take a formal plea from the defendants, a decision challenged by defence counsel Adikwu, who argued that the legal process required
