…”We have a lot of problems in Adamawa State…We cannot add to the already existing problems by fighting ourselves”
By Emmanuel Kwada
In a landmark ruling at the Adamawa State High Court in Yola, Umar Bello Jada, widely known as “Calculate,” a prominent activist and ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, was granted interim bail in a contentious defamation case filed by Alhaji Sadiq Wali, the revered Walin Ganye, and his son, Adamu Wali.
The decision, handed down by Justice Ahmed Isa, has been hailed as a triumph for justice, overturning a lower court’s stringent bail conditions and rekindling hopes for reconciliation in a case that has stirred political and cultural tensions in Adamawa State.
Former Senator Ishaku Abbo, a staunch supporter of Jada, addressed journalists outside the courthouse, framing the legal battle as a “family affair” and passionately advocating for peace.
What he was accused of is a bailable offence, and the court, in exercise of its jurisdiction and the point of law, granted the bail
“Umar Jada, who spent Sallah in prison, has gotten a temporary reprieve through bail,” Abbo declared. “What he was accused of is a bailable offence, and the court, in exercise of its jurisdiction and the point of law, granted the bail.”
With a playful jab at the legal fraternity, he added, “You heard all the ruling of the expertise brought by the learned people. I’m not learned, I’m only educated,” eliciting laughter from the crowd.
The legal drama began with Jada’s abrupt arrest, which his legal team described as a “Gestapo-style” operation. According to Bello Yero, Jada’s lawyer, the activist was detained at an airport and whisked to Chief Magistrate Court II, presided over by Magistrate Adamu Jamil, without being served a formal complaint.
The charges—criminal trespass and defamation—stemmed from a dispute with the Walin Ganye and his son, both influential figures in Adamawa’s traditional and political landscape.
The magistrate court’s initial ruling imposed severe bail conditions, including a ₦5 million bond and the requirement of a first-class traditional ruler as a surety, effectively ensuring Jada remained in custody.
His detention, particularly over the Sallah period, ignited outrage among supporters who saw it as an attempt to muzzle a vocal critic.
Jada’s legal team swiftly challenged the ruling, filing an ex-parte motion for judicial review at the High Court. Justice Ahmed Isa, in a decision celebrated as a “victory for democracy,” criticized the magistrate court’s procedural lapses, overruled its decision, and reassigned the case to another court.
We didn’t come here to fight anybody. It’s not a fight. It’s a family misunderstanding,” he said, rejecting narratives of conflict
The interim bail granted to Jada offers temporary relief pending the motion’s final determination, a move that has restored faith in the judiciary’s impartiality.
At the heart of the case, Senator Abbo emphasized the deep familial bond between Jada and the Walin Ganye, describing their relationship as akin to that of father and son. “We didn’t come here to fight anybody. It’s not a fight. It’s a family misunderstanding,” he said, rejecting narratives of conflict. “People know where they want to hear fight, but it doesn’t benefit anybody. If we fight now, who will live tomorrow?”
People know where they want to hear fight, but it doesn’t benefit anybody. If we fight now, who will live tomorrow?
Abbo candidly admitted to initially commenting on the case without full context during a live video broadcast. “When I read the report filed by TG News and other media outlets, I decided to delve into the whole matter,” he explained.
“I realized there are some things that I missed.” Determined to bridge the divide, Abbo spent hours at Wali’s residence the previous evening, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., and met with Wali’s children that morning. “The Walin Ganye is our father,” he said. “All we want is peace. Nobody benefits from this fight.”
When I read the report filed by TG News I decided to delve into the whole matter
Expressing optimism for the next court date on June 24, 2025, Abbo predicted a peaceful resolution. “I am very, very sure that the Walin Ganye will not want to see his son go to prison, even assuming he is found guilty,” he said. “This matter will not continue to escalate.”
Abbo placed the dispute within the broader context of Adamawa’s and Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including poverty, hunger, and disease. “We have a lot of problems in Adamawa State and in Nigeria in general,” he said.
We want to see judicial officers implement the law, not sentiments. That’s what we want in the judiciary
“We cannot add to the already existing problems by fighting ourselves.” Praising Justice Isa’s impartiality, he added, “We want to see judicial officers implement the law, not sentiments. That’s what we want in the judiciary.”
Jada’s lawyer, Bello Yero, echoed Abbo’s sentiments, calling the ruling a “victory for democracy and the rule of law.” Mindful of the case’s sub judice status, Yero refrained from detailed commentary but condemned the manner of Jada’s arrest, likening it to a “James Bond film.”
He underscored the High Court’s role in correcting the lower court’s errors, ensuring Jada’s temporary release and a fairer trial process.
The reassignment of the case to another court has bolstered confidence among Jada’s supporters, who view it as a safeguard against potential bias. The ruling has also sparked hope that the judiciary can serve as a beacon of fairness in a region fraught with political tensions.
The dispute has captivated public attention due to its political and cultural implications. Jada’s ties to Atiku Abubakar have fueled speculation that the case may be part of a broader campaign to target the former vice president’s allies. Meanwhile, the Walin Ganye’s stature as a traditional leader lends the case a delicate cultural dimension, making Abbo’s call for reconciliation all the more poignant.
We are only interested in peace. When we leave this place, we will seek peace between our father, Walin Ganye, and his son
As the June 24 court date approaches, stakeholders are hopeful for a resolution that prioritizes harmony over conflict. For now, Jada’s release on bail offers a moment of respite in a saga that has tested Adamawa’s social cohesion.
In his closing words, Abbo reiterated his vision for peace: “We are only interested in peace. When we leave this place, we will seek peace between our father, Walin Ganye, and his son.” Whether this vision becomes reality remains uncertain, but in a region grappling with systemic challenges, Abbo’s call for unity resonates as a powerful plea for a better tomorrow.
