A Magistrates’ court in Niger State on Friday ruled that it had jurisdiction to entertain an assault suit filed against Mabello Masaba, the man with 86 wives.

Masaba’s ex-wife, Azatu Adamu, on August 4, alleged that he, alongside 15 others, attacked and beat her up with an electric cable, causing her and the baby injuries.

In her ruling, the magistrate Sa’adatu Gambo, dismissed Mr Oluwole Oluranti’s (counsel to Masaba) application asking the court to disqualify itself from hearing the matter on the grounds of likely bias.

Oluranti had argued that the magistrate might not give fair hearing to his client because her brother in-law was party in a different criminal suit filed against his client.

Gambo held that Masaba’s counsel had failed to show that the criminal case filed against his client in a high court in Minna was related to the one in her court.

“Counsel has failed to prove that there is any connection between this case and the other criminal case filed against the defendant.

“It is mere suspicion of unreasonable people to build on vague, trivial and frivolous issues without merit. The application is hereby overruled.

“This honourable court has assumed jurisdiction of this case,” she ruled.

She said any party not satisfied with her ruling had the right to appeal within 15 days.

The magistrate referred the matter to the Police Bida Area Commander for further “discrete investigation” following the denial of the charges by Masaba.

She adjourned the case to October 30 for further mention.

•Credit: Tribune. Photo shows Masaba.