An Upper Area Court sitting in Zuba in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has vacated the arrest order on sex therapist and Kayamata seller, Saidu Hauwa Muhammed, also known as Jaruma.
Recall that the ‘Kayamata’ seller was arrested and arraigned at an Upper Area Court in the Zuba area of Abuja on January 28, 2022 on charges of defamation of character, false news publication and intimidation of Ned Nwoko on social media.
The presiding judge, Ismail Abdullahi, while ruling on the application for restoration of her bail filed by her lawyer, Odiba James, vacated the arrest order made on February 23, 2022.
This decision was made after her recurrent failure to appear in court for her trial.
The hearing, which had resumed on Wednesday, May 25, had Jaruma’s lawyer pleading with the court over the failure of his client to show up as expected, saying it was because of her ill health.
Recall that days ago, Jaruma had cried out stating her health issues and how she is alone with no one to help her in the hospital.
Her lawyer pleaded that the defendant will adhere to all rules, would not jump bail and would be of good behavior.
Nonetheless, the prosecution counsel, Inegbe, objected saying the application is a sacrilege to the sanctity of the court.
He stated that the defendant has been violating all orders of the court and that includes her public comments on her social media pages. Inegbe urged that the application be denied.
Judge Ismail, in his ruling said, “In the interest of justice, it is the court’s opinion that there should be no hindrance to the substantive matter.
“It is a time that bail should not be denied to punish the defendant since she has presented herself.
“The court might temper justice with mercy. The earlier order of arrest is hereby vacated. But the order for the social media that she should not make any publication and for her not to disrespect the court order is restored.”
Jaruma has been ordered to submit her international passport to the court registry on the condition that she would not jump bail and she would be of good behaviour.
She was also told to make herself available for her next hearing. The case is adjourned to June 23, 2022.
