Adamawa Court Remands Philanthropist Dr. Emmanuel Musa, 3 Others in Prison for Alleged Murder of Thomas Zamfara

By Tgnews

In a shocking turn of events, Chief Magistrate Court III in Yola, Adamawa State, on Friday, ordered the remand of renowned philanthropist Dr. Emmanuel Musa and three others in prison custody over the alleged murder of Thomas Godwin Zamfara.

The ruling, delivered by Chief Magistrate Uwani Danladi Mohammed, has sent ripples through the community, given Dr. Musa’s public profile.

The court adjourned the case to July 7, 2025, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Adamawa State Ministry of Justice. Until then, Dr. Musa, alongside co-defendants Godwin Chukukuyada, Danlami Nuhu, and Ibrahim Bakari (aka Mai Cross), will remain behind bars. A fifth suspect, Stephen Peter, remains at large.

The defendants face charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide under sections 60 and 191 of the Adamawa State Penal Code 2018

According to the First Information Report (FIR) presented in court, the defendants face charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide under sections 60 and 191 of the Adamawa State Penal Code 2018 (as amended).

The prosecution, led by Ezekiel Gidauna Esq., alleged that on April 15, 2025, the defendants attacked Thomas Godwin Zamfara while he was traveling from Fadama Rake to his hometown, Kala’a. The assault reportedly left Zamfara unconscious by the roadside. He was rushed to a hospital, where a medical doctor confirmed his death.

In a startling revelation, the prosecution claimed that Dr. Emmanuel Musa orchestrated and financed the attack, a charge that has raised eyebrows given his reputation as a philanthropist.

During the arraignment, the prosecution successfully applied to substitute the FIR dated May 19, 2025, with an updated version dated July 4, 2025. The defense, represented by G. C. Adikwu and M. I. El-Yakub, objected, arguing they had not received the substituted FIR.

The prosecution claimed that Dr. Emmanuel Musa orchestrated and financed the attack

However, the court overruled the objection, ordering the new FIR to be read and interpreted to the defendants in Hausa. While most defendants acknowledged understanding the charges, Dr. Musa initially claimed he did not comprehend until the FIR was read to him a second time.

Notably, Chief Magistrate Uwani did not ask the defendants to enter a plea, prompting an objection from defense counsel Adikwu.

He argued that legal protocol requires defendants to be asked whether they are guilty after confirming they understand the charges. The court did not address this concern in the session.

Earlier, Adikwu requested that Dr. Musa be allowed to remain seated during the proceedings due to health concerns, noting that his client had been transported from Abuja to Yola while on a medical drip. The court granted this request.

As the case awaits further legal direction, the remand of Dr. Musa and his co-defendants has sparked intense public debate, with many questioning how a figure known for philanthropy could be implicated in such a grave crime. The July 7 hearing is expected to shed more light on this high-profile case.

Read Also:UPDATE: 3 Suspects Charged in Thomas Godwin’s Brutal Murder in Zamfara as Police Vow Justice