Donga Teenage Girl Assault: Taraba CJ Orders Transfer of Case to Jalingo

The Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, has ordered the immediate transfer of the assault case involving Commissioner of Police vs. Mrs. Ramatu Abass from Donga to a Chief Magistrate Court in Jalingo, in a bid to ensure speedy trial and the safety of the victim.

Justice Agya, speaking through the Acting Deputy Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Mrs. Victoria Barnabas, told journalists in Jalingo that the directive followed concerns over the security and welfare of the alleged victim, Miss Iwasen Terhemba, a minor who was reportedly assaulted in Donga.

Barnabas said the Chief Judge was notified of the case on January 24, 2026, prompting immediate administrative action to safeguard the parties and guarantee fair hearing.

According to her, the Wife of the Taraba State Governor and Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development had earlier facilitated the relocation of the victim and her family to Jalingo following alleged threats to their safety.

She explained that the Chief Judge subsequently directed that the matter be transferred from the Chief Magistrate Court in Donga to Jalingo to allow proceedings to continue without intimidation.

Barnabas said she contacted the presiding magistrate in Donga, Hon. Idris Husseini Ardoto, who confirmed that the police had filed charges against Mrs. Abass for allegedly causing grievous harm to a minor. She added that the Divisional Police Officer in Donga was also informed of the transfer directive and agreed to withdraw the First Information Report (FIR) to enable refiling in Jalingo.

However, developments in court on January 26 saw the magistrate grant the defendant bail after the withdrawal of the FIR, despite objections from the police prosecutor. The court adjourned the case to February 8, 2026, for amendment of charges.

Barnabas said the presiding magistrate later explained that bail was granted because the Chief Judge's transfer directive had not been formally issued in writing at the time, in line with judicial correspondence procedures.

She disclosed that Justice Agya subsequently issued a written order on January 27, 2026, formally directing the immediate transfer of the case file and the defendant to Jalingo. The magistrate, she said, has acknowledged receipt of the letter, while the Chief Judge's office awaits full compliance.

The case stems from an incident in which Mrs. Ramatu Abass allegedly assaulted Miss Iwasen Terhemba, inflicting serious injuries on the teenager in Donga Local Government Area. Authorities say the transfer is aimed at ensuring impartial proceedings and protecting all parties involved.