There is a new twist to the Maryam Sanda alleged murder case as her mother, former Executive Director of Aso Savings and Loans, Hajiya Maimuna Aliyu Sanda and others were today listed as defendants.
Maryam who allegedly stabbed her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, son of Alhaji Bello Halliru Muhammad, a former chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had approached the court for bail but the FCT High Court in Jabi refused the oral application for bail made on behalf of Maryam Sanda and ordered her returned to prisons pending her re-arraignment next Thursday.
The FCT Police Command in a two-count charge accused Maryam of killing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, They alleged that Maryam had caused the death of Bello “by stabbing him on the chest with a broken bottle which eventually led to his death and you did with the knowledge that your act is likely to cause his death””
When she was arraigned on November 24, the court had ordered that she be remanded in prisons after she pleaded not guilty to the charge levied against her.
However, at the resumed hearing today, police Prosecutor, CSP James Idachaba informed the court an amended charge has been filed before the court where Maryam’s mother, Maimuna Aliyu has been added as defendant together with two others.
He however said all efforts to serve the charge on Maimuna and the others have proved abortive. He asked the court to adjourn the matter to Thursday, December 14 to enable the Police bring all the defendants to court so they can take their pleas together.
After this, Maryam’s new lawyer, Chief Joseph Daudu (SAN), a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), asked the court to listen to the bail application filed on Maryam’s behalf.
However, Idachaba urged the court to also adjourn the bail application to December 14 after new pleas must have been taken.
The trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu ruled in favour of the Prosecutor and said the bail would be taken after the re-arraignment.
Again, Daudu pleaded with the judge, this time orally, to release Maryam on bail pending the Thursday. He said the prisons condition is unwholesome for Maryam’s six months old baby.
