A middle-aged Micro-Biology graduate of University of Jos, Daniel Isaac, has narrated how he was arrested, charged to court and jailed for one year with an option of N10000 fine.
He alleged that he was innocently arrested and charged to court by personnel of the Bauchi State Police Command.
Isaac who is a resident of Yelwa area of Bauchi metropolis was one of the 21 inmates of Bauchi Correctional Centre whose fines were paid by a coalition of Rotary Club of Bauchi Central, Heart That Truly Cares (HTTC), Alwadata Lifeline Initiative (ALLI) and Attain Sisters Helping Hand (ASHH) Foundation leading to their been released.
Before luck came his way, Isaac had already spent One month at the Bauchi State Correctional Facility after bagging a one-year jail term with an option of the sum of N10000 which neither him nor his family and friends could raise.
Isaac narrated in an interactive session with Journalists shortly after he regained freedom that he was actually arrested by the Police patrol team at about 10.40pm after watching the AFCON final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast last February.
Isaac who looked unkempt when he was released from the Correctional Centre said that he was picked up behind the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi when he left the football viewing center at Bayan Gari, an area known as a dark spot in the metropolis.
He said that the following day, the Police charged him to court, where he was sentenced to a one-year prison term or fine of N10,000.
According to him, “The day Nigeria played AFCON final match, I came from Yelwa to visit my friend in the area and I decided to go to the viewing centre to watch the match.”
He added that, “After the match, I was heading home, while waiting to get a ride to Yelwa, some Cops drove in a Hilux van, stopped in my front and arrested me around Jubilee Hotel, that it was late night at 10.40pm.”
According to him, “I had visited my friend around that place, I went to watch the game and after that I was returning home when they came with their Hilux van while I was waiting to pick a motorcycle.”
Isaac added that, “They stopped and packed me and some other people to their Area Command, from there, I was like how do we finish this and they said that no, we would be charged to court.”
He added that, “They said we were arrested at a black spot. From the court they brought me to prison, court ruled that I should pay a fine of N10,000 or one year term.”
“I have spent 25 days in jail. My Mom has been working hard to get the money, she promised to pay the money as soon as she get her salary before the NGOs came to intervene,” he added.
He however said that he has learned a lot of lessons while in the Correctional Centre promising himself never to get involved in anything that will take him back to the place.
Also lucky to be released was a 22 year old woman, Ladidi who was jailed for fighting with her relation in Dabe village and was taken to Court for Public disturbance and causing hurt, she was fined N3000 which she could not pay.
After spending 3 nights in the Correctional Centre, the NGOs alongside Rotary Club of Bauchi Central found her sombre and repentant of the development and decided to include her in the payment.
Speaking which Journalists, she said that what happened was a family affair but was surprised that it led her to the Correctional Centre from the court.
Ladidi who still had a red, swollen eyes from the fight said that, “I have learnt a great lesson, from now on I will mind my business, I will never interfere again. The few days I have spent here, I don’t pray to come back here for any reason.”.
