The Bauchi State Governorship Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Barrister Ibrahim Kashim, has responded to a bench warrant issued against him by a Magistrate Court sitting in Bauchi.
Court Issues Bench Warrant
A chief magistrate, Abdulmumini Adamu, in Suit number: CMCBH/870/2026, filed by one Barr. Ahmed Sani and Barr. Hussaini Saraki against the politician, ordered a bench warrant on 9th June, according to copies of the court documents cited by our Correspondent.
The complainants alleged that the governorship candidate granted a television interview where he stated that one of the lawyers had recently been accused of collecting money from a client without carrying out the agreed service. They said that he also allegedly suggested that the lawyers may have been among those who informed government officials of certain information about him.
The complainants argued that the remarks were false, malicious and defamatory, insisting they never informed any government officials about Kashim. They further maintained that the statements exposed them to public ridicule, damaged their professional reputations and caused members of the public to question their integrity and competence as legal practitioners.
According to the court order, the warrant was granted following an application by counsel to the complainants, S.U. Sarki Esq., seeking the arrest of the defendant to compel his appearance before the court.
Kashim's Response
Meanwhile, Kashim, in a response to the court order, expressed his respect for the court and democratic principles. He stated: “We wish to clarify to the public that the court summons in question was served on Sunday, at a time when I had already completed my travel arrangements to Abuja for important engagements that had been scheduled earlier,” he said.
He added that immediately after learning about the case, he instructed his lawyer to appear before the court and seek a new date for his appearance. “It is therefore not right to interpret our absence as absconding or a refusal to accept the summons,” he stated.
Kashim affirmed his respect for the judiciary and expressed readiness to defend himself in court. “We have full respect for the courts and the legal system, and we are ready to defend ourselves according to the law. We have not insulted anyone, and we have not committed any crime that would prevent us from telling the truth in court.
“God willing, we will appear in court at the scheduled time for the continuation of the trial, and we are confident that the truth will come out.”
