In a stunning twist that has ignited public outrage and cast a dark shadow over Nigeria’s criminal justice system, billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Emmanuel Musa, has been quietly released from prison following his arraignment over the alleged political assassination of grassroots politician, Thomas Godwin, popularly known as Zamfara.
SaharaReporters exclusively gathered that the dramatic release of Dr. Musa and four co-accused was triggered after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, allegedly ordered the withdrawal of the First Information Report (FIR). This abrupt legal reversal, observers say, reeks of political interference and elite privilege overriding justice.
The court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Uwani Danladi Mohammed of Magistrate Court III in Yola, had earlier remanded the suspects for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide under Sections 60 and 191 of the Adamawa State Penal Code Law (2018, as amended). However, in an unexpected session convened at about 4:30 PM on Friday, the same magistrate was reportedly summoned back to the bench after close of court, to hear the police prosecutor’s motion to withdraw the FIR for “further investigation.”
By Saturday morning, Dr. Musa and the others had reportedly fled Yola aboard a chartered private jet, vanishing as swiftly as they had appeared in court.
Court insiders told SaharaReporters, “We were informed that the IGP personally ordered the withdrawal of the FIR. That single move halted all proceedings and cleared the way for their release—at least for now.”
A Chilling Murder Allegation
According to the FIR, Dr. Musa—who heads the Emnamu Foundation, a philanthropic NGO based in Adamawa—was accused of sponsoring and orchestrating the April 15 ambush on Thomas Godwin. The victim was allegedly attacked while en route from Fadama Rake to Kala’a, his hometown. He was found unconscious on the roadside and later confirmed dead at the hospital.
The police arraigned Dr. Musa alongside Godwin Chukukuyada, Danlami Nuhu, and Ibrahim Bakari (alias Mai Cross). A fifth suspect, Stephen Peter, remains on the run. During the arraignment, the prosecution, led by Ezekiel Gidauna, Esq., attempted to substitute the original charge sheet dated May 19 with a fresh one dated July 4. Despite objections from defense attorneys G.C. Adikwu and M.I. El-Yakub, the court allowed the substitution.
Dr. Musa’s sudden defection from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) shortly after the murder scandal broke has only deepened suspicions that his newfound political alignment influenced the sudden legal U-turn.
Civil society groups, legal experts, and political observers have described the situation as a brazen mockery of justice, questioning whether Nigeria’s courts still serve the people or only the powerful.
“This is more than just a legal anomaly,” a human rights lawyer in Yola told SaharaReporters. “It’s a chilling reminder that in Nigeria, justice can be bought, bent, or buried depending on your bank account or political connections.”
This isn’t the first time Dr. Musa’s name has been mired in controversy. SaharaReporters had previously reported that in 2023, he incited violence during a religious crusade in Kala’a town, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State. In a video that went viral, Musa, who claims to be a prophet, was seen urging youths to attack individuals he labelled as “witches and wizards” allegedly plotting to kill him.
“They want to kill me,” he declared. “If someone slaps you once, slap them twice!”
Eyewitnesses say the crowd obeyed without hesitation. In the aftermath, homes, shops, and vehicles worth over N200 million were destroyed. Victims of the violence, including Isaac Edmond Hyellandendu, said Musa personally named them as witches, effectively issuing a death warrant.
“A preacher claiming to be a prophet came to town,” Hyellandendu recounted. “He told the crowd we were planning to kill him. He incited them, and they burned everything we owned. Two of my shops and my home were reduced to ashes.”
As the dust settles on the controversial release of Dr. Musa and his co-defendants, public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system continues to erode. Activists are now demanding an independent investigation, with full transparency and accountability.
“The people deserve answers,” said a local civil rights group. “The murder of a political figure is not a trivial matter, and if elite criminals can escape justice at will, then no citizen is truly safe.”
Meanwhile, the promise of “further investigation” hangs in the air, but few believe it will lead anywhere.
For now, the courtroom doors may have closed—but the clamor for justice is only growing louder.
PIONEER NEWS 