A chief magistrate's court in Gombe has remanded two African Democratic Congress supporters in police custody pending investigations into disruptions at the state's airport. Muhammad-Sunusi Abdullahi, also known as Ataka, and Ahmed-Daudu Dinawa, known as Jadda, appeared before Chief Magistrate Aliyu Abubakar on Tuesday and denied all charges against them.
The duo faced seven counts including criminal trespass, disobeying lawful orders, obstructing public officials, intentional insult, inciting disturbance and causing damage. Police prosecutor Umehi Thomas told the court that the alleged incident happened around midday on July 15, 2026.
According to Thomas, the defendants and others still being sought forcibly entered Gombe International Airport as Dr Bala Bello Tinka, the ADC's governorship candidate, was arriving. He said they broke the security lock at the Executive Gate of the VIP section and gained unauthorised entry to a restricted zone.
"All efforts by security personnel and the airport management to stop them proved abortive as the defendants turned violent and insulted officials," Thomas told the court. He added that investigators would determine the value of damaged property.
Thomas urged the magistrate to keep both men in custody while investigations continued. He argued that since they'd pleaded not guilty and the probe was ongoing, they should remain in a custodial facility.
Defence lawyer Ayuba Rabiu opposed the bid for remand, asking the court to grant his clients bail instead. He cited Section 177 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Gombe State, 2020, and Sections 34, 35 and 36 of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution as grounds for release.
Rabiu also noted that his clients had spent five days in police custody since July 16, 2026. Chief Magistrate Abubakar heard submissions from both sides before making his decision.
The magistrate ordered the defendants remanded pending trial and set July 23, 2026, to rule on their bail application. He adjourned the case to August 5, 2026, for hearing.
