The case is reportedly connected to Ahmad Ibrahim Ahmad Namadina, the Special Adviser on Culture to Governor Umar Namadi.
Zainab Ibrahim Umar, a philanthropist and social critic, has been arrested and charged in court in Jigawa State, where she is currently being held in custody following her arraignment before a High Court in Birnin Kudu.
Sources told SaharaReporters that Umar was initially arraigned before a Magistrate Court, which subsequently declined jurisdiction and transferred the matter to the Jigawa State High Court. She was thereafter remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
The case is reportedly connected to Ahmad Ibrahim Ahmad Namadina, the Special Adviser on Culture to Governor Umar Namadi.
According to information available, the dispute arose after Umar allegedly declined a proposed public relations or promotional engagement linked to the state government.
It was gathered that Umar was first taken to the Department of State Services (DSS), where both parties were said to have reached a temporary settlement and were advised by officials to exercise restraint and avoid further confrontation.
However, sources alleged that following the DSS intervention, Namadina later visited Umar’s shop in the company of some associates, where an altercation reportedly occurred. During the incident, Umar was said to have defended herself.
“She was initially taken to the DSS, where both parties allegedly reached a settlement and were advised to exercise restraint,” a source said.
“However, it is claimed that the SA later went to her shop with associates, where an altercation occurred.”
Subsequently, she was charged with attempted culpable homicide, a development that has drawn concern from observers and civil society actors.
“Zainab reportedly defended herself and is now facing a charge of attempted culpable homicide,” the source said.
Notably, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Justice is reportedly acting as counsel to Namadina in the matter, a situation that has raised questions about conflict of interest and prosecutorial neutrality.
Details From Court Documents
Court documents obtained by SaharaReporters show that Zainab Ibrahim Bukar is facing a three-count amended charge before the Jigawa State High Court sitting in Birnin Kudu, marked Charge No: JDU/33C/2025.
According to the charge sheet dated November 7, 2025, the prosecution alleges that on or about April 18, 2025, at the Mopol Base Quarters in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Bukar committed multiple offences against one Ahmed Ibrahim of Kwaimawa village, Dutse LGA.
In the first count, the prosecution alleges that Bukar uttered insulting words and publicly abused Ahmed Ibrahim, an act said to be punishable under Section 399 of the Penal Code, Cap P3, Laws of Jigawa State, 2012.
The second count alleges that Bukar used a heavy piece of timber to strike Ahmed Ibrahim on the head, causing injuries that reportedly resulted in severe bodily pain lasting more than 30 days. The offence is described as voluntarily causing grievous hurt without provocation, punishable under Section 247 of the Penal Code.
In the third count, the prosecution further alleges that Bukar armed herself with a heavy timber and struck the complainant on the head with knowledge that such an act could cause bodily injury.
The charge claims that the complainant sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he allegedly received stitches to his head. This count is framed as attempt to commit culpable homicide, punishable under Section 229 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution has listed four witnesses to testify in the case. They include the complainant, Ahmed Ibrahim; Suleiman Salisu of Kwaimawa village, who is described as an eyewitness; Inspector Musq Mohd of the Dutse Police Division, who investigated the matter; and Yahaya Ibrahim of Kwaimawa village, who is also listed as an eyewitness.
A summary of the prosecution’s case indicates that the witnesses are expected to give accounts of the alleged altercation, the injuries sustained by the complainant, and the outcome of the police investigation.
The only document listed by the prosecution as evidence to be relied upon at trial is the defendant’s statement.
The charge and accompanying documents were signed by officials of the Jigawa State Ministry of Justice, including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Chief State Counsel.