Adamawa chief jailed eight years over mischief

 

Wilson Adekumola

A village head, Gumni llihu, Gugu village, Banjairam District, Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa State has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment, after he was found guilty of criminal breach of the trust, intimidation and mischief.

Gumni Ilihu was charged to court over refusal to refund the debt owed Roel Sunaka, a 47-year old primary school teacher in the community following the sale of 13 sheep to him.

The plaintiff, Roel who holds the position of zonal supervisor, Bobini Primary School, Guyuk Local Government Education Authtority, alleged that Gumni used the proceeds of his livestock to secure chieftaincy title stool of Gurgu Village, in Banjiran District, under Guyuk Council, the village chief had refused to repay his debt and instead was threatening to chase him out of the community.

During the court proceedings, Magistrate Hyellamada Hyellandendu found the defendant guilty of criminal breach of trust, section 302, intimidation and mischief under section 382 Adamawa State penal code 2018.

Hyellandendu his in sentence said, “For criminal b reach of trust, you Chief Gumni Ilihu, is to be sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine, one-year imprisonment for criminal intimidation with an option of N25.000 fine instead of prison term and two years jail term for mischief with an option of fine of N50,000.”

The judge noted that the jail terms were to run concurrently, bringing the total number of years the defendant is to spend in jail to eight years upon failure to meet up the fine obligation to secure his freedom.

Roel, however, explained to journalist that, “ I approached the court because Gunmni sold 13 of my goats in 2013 and used the proceeds to secure appointment as village head, chieftaincy stool, known as the Sarki Gugu. All entreaties to get him to repay me the money fell on deaf ears.

On several occasions, after he became the village head, he threatened to make me leave the village if I continue to disturb him about the repayment for my livestock which I gave to him”