A MAGISTRATE Court sitting in Zone 6, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, has ordered the remand of self-acclaimed President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Arc Kabir Ibrahim, at a correctional centre over allegations of joint act, impersonation, criminal intimidation, and inciting public disturbance against Dr. Farouk Rabiu Mudi, who was duly elected AFAN National President in Kano in 2021.
Delivering the ruling, Her Lordship, Hon. Justice Ekpeyong, stated that Kabir Ibrahim was once lawfully elected as National President of AFAN, but deliberately refused to vacate office upon the expiration of his tenure as provided under the Association’s Constitution.
The judge ruled: “Consequently, the Association duly elected Mr. Farouk Mudi as its National President in 2021, and he has since been recognized as valid.
“You, Arc Kabir Ibrahim, contested your removal before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/322/2020, which was decided against you on March 22, 2022.
“You further appealed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, where judgement was again entered against you.
“Despite these clear and binding decisions, you have continued to parade yourself as National President of the Association. By so doing, you have committed the offence of impersonation, contrary to Section 132 of the Penal Code Act.”
The court further held that Kabir Ibrahim, in collaboration with accomplices still at large, deliberately misled the public and disrupted AFAN’s lawful activities by conducting unauthorized functions in its name.
Justice Ekpeyong continued: “That you, Arc Kabir Ibrahim, have committed the offence of Criminal Intimidation, contrary to Section 397 of the Penal Code. By your persistent unlawful acts of impersonation and intimidation, you conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace, public disorder, and disunity within the Association and the wider public, thereby committing the offences of inciting disturbance, contrary to Section 114 of the Penal Code Act.”
When the charges were read, Kabir Ibrahim was unable to provide sureties to secure his bail. Consequently, the presiding judge ordered his remand at the Keffi Correctional Centre, pending determination of the case.
Reacting to the ruling, Dr. Farouk Rabiu Mudi, the recognized AFAN National President, accused Kabir Ibrahim of deliberate sabotage against over 15 million Nigerian farmers and more than 80 commodity associations under AFAN.
Mudi cited several instances, including:
Letters allegedly written by Kabir to the Nigeria Sugar Development Council (NSDC), threatening the body against supporting out-grower farmers seeking loans to bridge Nigeria’s 2% sugar supply deficit.
Letters to Tingo Mobile, warning the company against investing in Nigerian farmers under Dr. Mudi’s leadership, a move Mudi said blocked foreign direct investment in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
At the time of filing this report, one of Kabir’s accomplices, Chief Okafor, a self-acclaimed AFAN Vice President, had been apprehended by the FID FCT Abuja.
Meanwhile, police operatives have launched a manhunt for other cohorts nationwide, on the orders of the court.
The matter has been adjourned to a later date for continuation of hearing.