Residents of Doorshima community, in Ibi local government council of Taraba State have called on the State Judicial Service Commission, JSC, and the Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Filibus Agya, to as a matter of urgency remove the Grade I Area Court Judge.
Accusing the Judge, Justice Saidu Muhammad of harassment and intimidation, the community said removing him would redeem the image of the judicial arm of the government.
Speaking to journalists in on Wednesday in Jalingo, the spokesperson of the community, Istifanus Moses, alleged that the judge, in collaboration with two individuals, has been using his position to confiscate fish ponds legally owned by the Doorshima community under the Sarkin Kudu Chiefdom.
“Judge Saidu Muhammad and his associates are making life unbearable for us. They are forcing us out of our fish ponds, which legally belong to us under the Sarkin Kudu Chiefdom,” the residents claimed.
The residents allege that the Judge ignored letters from the National Boundary Commission, Taraba State Boundary Commission, and the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which directed both parties to maintain the original demarcation of River Benue.
According to the residents, on January 11, 2025, the judge ordered the arrest of the Ward Head of Doorshima, Mallam Ibrahim, who was detained at Ibi Police Station until January 12, 2025.
His release reportedly required the intervention of the Ibi local government chairman, Iliya Jibu.
Despite clear directives from multiple authorities affirming that the fish ponds fall under the Sarkin Kudu Chiefdom, the residents allege that the judge is acting under the influence of powerful individuals from Ibi Chiefdom.
“We honored the court’s summons but were prevented from crossing the Ibi River by a directive from influential individuals.
When we explained this to the judge, he disregarded it and ordered the detention of Madakin Doorshima,” Moses stated.
The residents further accused the judge of issuing arrest warrants against community members, claiming it was a deliberate attempt to intimidate them.
Denying the allegations, the Judge argued that he was merely acting on a complaint filed by Alih Buhari over the disputed fishponds.
“The court issued a summons requesting their appearance, but they refused. This led to their arrest for contempt, which is standard legal procedure,” Judge Muhammad claimed.