The Bauchi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdulrazak Zaki, has confirmed that the child he was accused of abducting is currently in his custody.

Addressing journalists in Bauchi on Saturday, Zaki revealed that his unnamed son, accompanied by policemen assigned to him, orchestrated the alleged abduction from the child’s school two weeks ago.

The controversy began when Zaki’s ex-wife, Ikilima Soro, petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetekun, alleging that her child was abducted in Bauchi on the morning of January 20, 2025. Soro claimed that the school bus transporting the child was intercepted by masked policemen in a vehicle with covered license plates. The child was reportedly forcibly taken, and the vehicle sped away.

In response to the allegations, Zaki asserted that his actions were endorsed by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, and the Bauchi Commissioner of Police, Auwal Mohammed. He cited a Sharia court ruling that granted him custody of the child from his ex-wife, Ikilima Soro.

However, the Bauchi State High Court has initiated proceedings to hold Zaki and the Commissioner of Police in contempt for violating its order to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the case before the Sharia Court of Appeal.

Despite the State High Court’s order granting the child’s mother custodial rights, Zaki admitted to taking the eight-year-old child to a boarding school in the state.

Human rights activist and public interest lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, condemned Zaki’s actions, describing them as a case of self-help and a clear instance of child abduction. Abubakar emphasized that the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2010, explicitly criminalizes the forceful seizure of persons or the interception of transportation carrying goods or individuals. Such actions, he stressed, are punishable under the law.

Abubakar also highlighted the hierarchy of Nigerian courts, noting that the State High Court holds a superior position relative to the Sharia Court. Consequently, directives issued by the State High Court take precedence over those from the Sharia Court, ensuring that the State High Court’s decisions are paramount in the judicial system.

The post “Bauchi Commissioner Admits Custody Of Allegedly Abducted Child” — Defends Actions, Cites Sharia Court Ruling appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.