There was tight security in Katsina town yesterday following the arraignment of ex-Governor Ibrahim Shema in a High Court for alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure.
Shema was the Katsina State Governor from May 2007 to May 2015.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ushered Shema to the court.
Shema was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Bako by the Katsina state government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday.
He, however, did not take plea.
EFCC counsel Jibrin Samuel (SAN) urged the court to remand Shema in prison so that they could have access to him at will.
Samuel asked that the administrative bail earlier given to Shema be revoked, saying he had shown some signs of not reporting to the commission.
The defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, however, objected to the prayer of the EFFC counsel to have his client remanded in prison custody.
Daudu argued that the state High Court had no jurisdiction to try his client, adding that Shema should be allowed to go home until the case had been appropriately filed.
The trial judge, Bako, ruled that it was premature for the EFCC counsel to pray for the detention of the ex-governor in prison.
He advised both sides to take the case slowly in order to have a decent trial, and adjourned the case till Feb. 7 for mention.
Security agents from different security organisations were positioned in strategic locations, particularly those leading to the state High Court, to forestall any unforeseen break down of law and order.
In a related development, the Police Command in Katsina has banned rallies or gatherings by any group of people in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Salisu Agaisa, warned that anybody caught violating the order would be made to face the law.
He urged parents and guardians not to allow their children and wards to be used by some people to achieve their selfish agenda.
