A Chief Magistrate Court 8 in Kano has asked the police to investigate the Managing Director of Kano Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA) Baffa Babba Dan Agundi over alleged rights abuses and bribery by one Mujitapha Isa.
The request to the police is contained in a letter dated March 1, 2021 and addressed to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Zaria Road Area Command, Solacebase reports.
The letter by the court registrar called for a discreet investigation against Baffa Babba Dan Agundi.
Mujitapha Isa, a tricycle rider, through his lawyer, Barr. Abba Hikima, had complained to the Chief Magistrate, accusing the KAROTA boss of unlawful violence, intentional assault, causing grievous bodily harm, criminal abuse of authority and offering bribe.
The lawyer said that on 25th February 2021, Isa was assaulted, dehumanized him until he became unconscious over allegation of being part of those that spearheaded protest and a two-day strike by tricycle riders in the state.
“While on the course of lawful business as a tricycle operator in Kano, our client {Mujitapha Isa), he got arrested by men and officer of Kano Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA) for allegedly distributing flyers which purportedly incited tricycle riders in Kano state for the imposition of N100 tax with its attendant expenses,” said the letter.
“It is our client further that immediately after his arrest (which came 3 days after the said strike by tricycle riders) he was taken before the Managing Director of KAROTA (Baffa Babba Dan Agundi) at KAROTA office where the said allegation was repeated before the MD.
“Upon hearing the allegation, the MD became furious and enraged whereupon he approached our client and began to physically batter and assault our client with heavy blows on sensitive part of the body (Head, Neck and Chest) with his fists.
The letter said Mujitapha Isa was later rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist hospital when he became unconscious where he was later resuscitated.
It noted that sensing the consequence of his action, the MD, Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, called the father of the victim and promised to employ the tricycle rider if he would not press charges against him and the organization.
According to the letter, it serves as a formal complaint before the court for the MD to be brought to book for his criminality and recklessness, pursuant to section 126 of Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Kano State 2019.
