Court remands man who ‘confessed’ to killing step-daughter

A Katsina Senior Magistrate’s court has ordered that Akilu Alhaji Saidu, brought before it for allegedly murdering his four-year-old step-daughter, be remanded in prison. The police said Saidu confessed during interrogation to have killed the girl, Saratu Yahuza, while under the influence of psychotropic substances. He was therefore charged with culpable homicide. In court yesterday, […]

A Katsina Senior Magistrate’s court has ordered that Akilu Alhaji Saidu, brought before it for allegedly murdering his four-year-old step-daughter, be remanded in prison. The police said Saidu confessed during interrogation to have killed the girl, Saratu Yahuza, while under the influence of psychotropic substances. He was therefore charged with culpable homicide.

In court yesterday, the suspect admitted to understanding the charges he was been accused of after listening to police First Information Report (FIR) that was read to him. Police prosecutor, Inspector Sani Ado, thereafter applied for adjournment to enable the police to conclude its investigation on the matter.

The presiding magistrate, Fadila Dikko, in granting the application adjourned the matter to October 31 for mention. She directed that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending further advice from the state Ministry of Justice, as the magistrate court lacked jurisdiction to try a murder case.