By Umar Zubainatu Kambari
The Federal Government, through the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Monday arraigned four men before the High Court of Justice, Yola, on allegations of conspiracy and unlawful planting of cannabis sativa in the house of Abdullahi Bako in an effort to set him up.
The defendants; Aba Alkas (40), Hamisu Babanlo (40), Alhaji Sani Abdulrahman (51), and Haladu Yusuf (26), were brought before Hon. Justice T. J. Ringim on charges bordering on conspiracy and smuggling of 67 grams of cannabis sativa, an offence said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves to plant cannabis sativa at a residence in Jambutu, Yola North LGA, Adamawa State, on or about October 25, 2025, without lawful authority.
The cannabis, which was said to have been sneaked in and planted at the residence of Abdullahi Bako who is well known as DDK—in an attempt to tarnish his image and portray him as a drug baron, was exposed with the help of an informant who begged for anonymity.
During the court proceedings on Monday, the court considered an amended charge and addressed a pending bail application filed by the third defendant, Sani Abdulrahman.
Justice Ringim noted that although the prosecution had been served with a court order dated November 12, 2025, the service of the related motion was disputed. The prosecution confirmed receiving the court order at 1:58 p.m. on November 13 after the 12 noon deadline but insisted they had not been served the accompanying motion.
Due to these inconsistencies and the late service, the court refused to grant bail to the third defendant and ordered the continued detention of the accused persons until November 19, 2025.
Upon the amended charges being read in court, Abba Alkas, Hamisu Babanlo, and Haladu Yusuf pleaded guilty. However, the third defendant, Sani Abdulrahman, entered a not-guilty plea.
Justice Ringim declined the bail request and adjourned the case to November 19, 2025, for continuation of hearing.
