Judge’s absence stalls Maryam Sanda’s trial | Nairalaw

The absence of the trial judge has stalled further proceedings
in the murder case against Maryam Sanda, who was accused of killing
her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.

Maryam is being tried before an FCT High Court in Maitama for
allegedly killing Bello, a nephew of former PDP Chairman, Alhaji
Bello Halliru Muhammad.

She was docked alongside her brother, Aliyu Sanda; her mother,
Maimuna Aliyu and her housemaid, Sadiya Aminu, who were accused of
assisting her to conceal the evidence by cleaning the blood of the
deceased from the scene of the crime. They pleaded not guilty.

Police had subsequently called six witnesses to corroborate the
charge.

Following the closing of the prosecution’s case, Maryam’s
counsel, Olusegun Jolaawo informed the court they intended to enter
a no-case submission, which led to fixing todayday for adoption of
written addresses.

No-case submission literally means an application by the
defendant submitting that the prosecution had not led enough
evidence to warrant for conviction or for the defendant(s) to
defend herself.

If the application succeeds, the defendant(s) will be discharged
and acquitted. However, if it fails, the defendant(s) will be
ordered to open her defence.

The court had subsequently fixed March 20 for the adoption of
addresses on the no-case submission.

However, parties were told in court today that the judge,
Justice Yusuf Halilu was on an urgent official assignment.

Following agreement of all parties, the case was adjourned to
March 26 for the adoption of addresses.