A CHIEF Magistrate Court in Gombe State has ordered that two men standing trial over the alleged trespass of the Gombe State International Airport remain in police custody pending the determination of their bail application.
News Point Nigeria reports that the defendants, Muhammad Sunusi Abdullahi, popularly known as Ataka, and Ahmed Daudu Dinawa, also known as Jadda, were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Aliyu Abubakar of Chief Magistrate Court No. 2 on Tuesday.
The two men were arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on alleged criminal trespass, disobedience to a lawful order, obstruction of public servants in the discharge of their duties, intentional insult, inciting disturbance and mischief.
The police prosecutor, Barrister Umehi Thomas, told the court that the alleged offences were committed on July 15, 2026, at about 12 noon during the arrival of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Dr Bala Bello Tinka.
According to the prosecution, the defendants, alongside other persons still at large, allegedly forced their way into the airport premises by damaging the security lock at the Executive VIP Gate before accessing a restricted area without authorisation.
Thomas further alleged that when security personnel and airport officials attempted to stop them, the defendants obstructed the officers while carrying out their lawful duties and verbally assaulted them.
The prosecutor informed the court that police investigation into the matter was still ongoing, adding that the extent of the alleged damage caused to the airport facility would be established after the conclusion of investigations.
He said the alleged offences were punishable under Sections 79, 114, 143, 148, 326, 342 and 399 of the Penal Code Law.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following their plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand the defendants, arguing that their continued detention was necessary to allow the police conclude investigations into the matter.
However, counsel to the defendants, Barrister Ayuba Rabiu, opposed the application and urged the court to grant his clients bail.
Rabiu argued that the court had the discretion to admit the defendants to bail under Section 177 of the Gombe State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2020.
He also relied on Sections 34, 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), arguing that the defendants were entitled to their constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty and fair hearing.
The defence counsel further informed the court that his clients had remained in police custody since July 16.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Aliyu Abubakar declined the prosecution’s request to remand the defendants in a correctional centre.
Instead, the magistrate ordered that the two men should remain in police custody pending the determination of their bail application.
The court adjourned the matter until July 23, 2026, for ruling on the bail application, while the substantive hearing of the case was fixed for August 5, 2026.