Maryam Sanda’s trial: Witness disappears in court

 

By Kehinde Osasona Abuja A mild drama played out yesterday in the trial of Maryam Sanda at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, when the prosecuting witness (name withheld), reportedly surfaced but could not be found thereafter to testify.

The presiding judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, consequently adjourned the hearing to April 19 2018, to enable the prosecution to call its first witness. Maryam Sanda is standing trial for allegedly killing her husband, Bilyameen Bello, son of ex-PDP National Chairman, Mohammed Bello Haliru, at the couple’s Abuja home last year.

Earlier, the defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had, in his opening defence, argued that the charge against his client was not properly fi led, saying that it should have been fi led by the AttorneyGeneral and not the police. He said: “The charge has not been fi led by the proper person. It should have been fi led by the AttorneyGeneral, police fi led it. Secondly, it was fi led by way of charge not information. Information is different from a charge, therefore, there are so many defects that make it look like there was no charge at all.”

Arguing further, Daudu said he had no objection to the adjournment and twice -a- week trial proposed by the court for a speedy trial. “We are ready to go on it, but it is just that we don’t want to walk on nullity situation when things are not yet ready and the rush for speedy trial will now spoil everything that we have done from the beginning,” argued Sanda’s counsel.

The prosecution, James Idachaba, while insisting that the charge before the court was proper, said, “a charge before the court is proper and in conformity with the provision of the law and that is exactly our position. “We have argued the matter, and it would appear that that is just it, because the only procedural rule with regards to trial of criminal matters in FCT is the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015. Anything outside it is not known to us and we have complied strictly with the provision.” On witness’ sudden disappearance, Idachaba said: “I was made to understand that he was here in the morning, but later we could not found him.

“You heard what I told the court; there are witnesses that are police officers. Those who conducted the investigation are in court, but as a prosecutor, you have hierarchy of witnesses who testify first and those who will corroborate it.” In his ruling, Justice Halilu said, “I have seen the nature of the objections raised and it is the responsibility of the court to adhere to the provisions of the constitution.” Maryam Sanda was granted bail by the court at the last hearing on health grounds

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