EXCLUSIVE: Adamawa-based Billionaire, Emmanuel Musa Remanded For Murder, Secretly Freed From Prison After IGP Egbetokun Ordered Withdrawal Of Police Report

In a development that has sparked outrage in Adamawa State and raised questions on Nigeria's criminal justice system, an Adamawa-based billionaire and philanthropist, Dr Emmanuel Musa, has been released from the prison custody following a court session prompted by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, SaharaReporters has learnt.

SaharaReporters gathered that the court, which had earlier remanded Musa and four others over alleged political assassination of a grassroots politician, Thomas Godwin —popularly known as Zamfara — suddenly reversed its position after police prosecutors applied for a temporary withdrawal of charges.

The court sitting reportedly held around 4:30pm on Friday, after Magistrate Uwani Danladi Mohammed was compelled to return to the bench despite having closed for the day. 

Court insiders confirmed the dramatic turnaround to SaharaReporters, saying, "We were told that the IGP ordered the withdrawal of the First Information Report (FIR) for further investigation. This effectively halts all charges against the five defendants — for now."

By Saturday morning, Dr Musa and his co-defendants had allegedly departed Yola aboard a chartered private jet.

Before the alleged murder scandal broke, Dr Musa was a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 However, in a surprise political maneuver, he defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) shortly after the incident—fuelling speculation that his newfound political alignment may have influenced the outcome.

The sudden release has triggered widespread criticism, with many Nigerians questioning if the system still serves justice— or power. 

The case has now been thrown into uncertainty, with observers waiting to see whether the promised "further investigation" will yield genuine justice — or be buried in silence.

SaharaReporters had on Friday reported that the Chief Magistrate Court III in Yola, presided over by Chief Magistrate Uwani Danladi Mohammed, issued the remand order following Emmanuel Musa and others' arraignment on charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, contrary to Sections 60 and 191 of the Adamawa State Penal Code (2018, as amended).

Dr. Musa, who is the President of the Emnamu Foundation, a philanthropic organisation based in Adamawa, was charged alongside Godwin Chukukuyada, Danlami Nuhu, and Ibrahim Bakari (aka Mai Cross). A fifth suspect, Stephen Peter, remains at large.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) presented in court, the suspects allegedly ambushed the deceased on April 15, 2025, while he was travelling from Fadama Rake to Kala’a, his hometown. 

The politician was reportedly left unconscious by the roadside and later confirmed dead at the hospital

The prosecution led by Ezekiel Gidauna, Esq., told the court that Dr. Musa allegedly sponsored and instigated the fatal attack. The FIR also highlighted a motion by the prosecution to substitute the original charge sheet dated May 19 with a fresh one dated July 4, 2025, — a motion that was objected to by defense counsels G.C. Adikwu and M.I. El-Yakub, but overruled by the court.

During proceedings, the FIR had been read and interpreted to the accused in Hausa. 

The latest development also comes two years after SaharaReporters broke the story of how Dr. Musa incited violence during a crusade in Kala’a town, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, which resulted in the destruction of houses, shops, and vehicles estimated at over N200 million.

In a viral video from the event, Dr. Musa is seen and heard urging youths to attack those he labelled as witches and enemies plotting to kill him.

"They (witches and wizards) want to kill me; youths, what's your reaction? Retaliate, retaliate. If someone slaps you once, slap them twice to serve as a deterrent," the preacher had said during the crusade.

Eyewitnesses confirmed to SaharaReporters that shortly after the inflammatory remarks, youths from the crusade stormed homes and properties of those named by the preacher, setting them ablaze. At least three houses, several shops and vehicles were razed.

One of the victims, Isaac Edmond Hyellandendu, whose house and two shops were destroyed, told SaharaReporters:

“A preacher claiming to be a prophet came to town to conduct a crusade. While conducting his meeting, some of us were mentioned as those practising witchcraft, that we were planning to kill him; as such, he charged the youths to act fast and eliminate us.”