Kannywood actor denied bail over murder of newborn baby

Actor Nura Imam was arraigned before Kano Magistrate’s Court No 29, presided over by Umma Sani Kurawa, on accusations of murdering a four-day-old baby. The police First Information Report (FIR) said Hadiza Yakubu, a student of the Federal College of Education, Kano, on September 4, reported to the police that the 30-year-old Imam impregnated her […]

Actor Nura Imam was arraigned before Kano Magistrate’s Court No 29, presided over by Umma Sani Kurawa, on accusations of murdering a four-day-old baby.

The police First Information Report (FIR) said Hadiza Yakubu, a student of the Federal College of Education, Kano, on September 4, reported to the police that the 30-year-old Imam impregnated her and when she gave birth to the baby, the actor caused its death.

The charge sheet said Hadiza “gave birth to a baby boy, that when you (Imam) came to see the baby, she left you with the baby in her room and when she returned she discovered the baby crying uncontrollably.”

She said she suspected Imam of having harmed the baby, after which the baby was taken to a private clinic where the child passed away.

The actor denied the allegations levelled against him. He told the court that all that was stated in the charge sheet was not true.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Badamasi Ya’u, prayed the court to adjourn the matter to another date for further mention, noting that the case file has been forwarded to the office of the director of public prosecution in the Kano State Ministry of Justice for legal advice.

Counsel to Imam urged the court to admit the accused on bail, a request which the court overruled and ordered that he be remanded in prison custody.

The matter is adjourned to November 2 for further mention.

Hadiza’s close associate told Weekly Trust that Imam was in a relationship with Hadiza, who was converted to Islam by the actor on the understanding that he would marry her.

Four days after she gave birth to a baby she believed was Imam’s, she claimed to have left the child with the actor for a while as she went to fetch clean clothes, but she returned to find the baby crying in an abnormal way. Doctors later said the baby was poisoned.

Hadiza complained to the police and Imam was then arrested. He was later released, but charged to court on Wednesday.

Imam’s case is the latest in series of scandals that bedevilled the Hausa movie industry in the past years.

Actor Rabi Isma recently had her death sentenced upheld by the Supreme Court for killing her boyfriend nine years ago.

In 2007, the Maryam Hiyana sex video plunged the Kannywood film industry into an unprecedented controversy.