Court to rule on Maryam Sanda”s bail, as trial begins
An FCT High Court in Jabi will today decide whether Maryam Sanda would be released on bail or not, pending the final determination of the murder case against her. Maryam was accused by the Police of causing the death of her husband, Bilyamin Bello, son of former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji […]
An FCT High Court in Jabi will today decide whether Maryam Sanda would be released on bail or not, pending the final determination of the murder case against her.
Maryam was accused by the Police of causing the death of her husband, Bilyamin Bello, son of former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bello Halliru Muhammad.
She was charged alongside her mother, Maimuna Aliyu, her brother, Aliyu Sanda and one Sadiya, who were accused of assisting Maryam to conceal the evidence by cleaning the blood of the deceased from the scene of the crime.
When the trial continued on Monday, her lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) confirmed that Maryam is over 3 months pregnant and told the court that the bail application was different from the one the court dismissed on December 14, as fresh reasons have been put before the court for the court to exercise its discretion in releasing the defendant on bail.
He said he has not found any court ruling where a pregnant woman was incarcerated when standing trial even for capital offences.
Responding, police prosecutor, CSP James Idachaba said he does not think the fact that Maryam is pregnant falls under the exceptional condition envisaged by S161 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
“This is a matter of law; we cannot allow personal emotions to come in play. The facts placed before the court is not sufficient for the court to exercise its discretion,” he said while urging the court to dismiss the application.
The trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halliru subsequently adjourned the matter to today, February 7 for ruling and for the police to call its first witness, an inspector that investigated the case.