Court Denies Alleged Husband Killer, Maryam Sanda Bail

 

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi, Abuja, on Thursday refused the bail application of Maryam Sanda who is accused of killing her husband,

Bilyamin Bello, son of a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Yusuf Halilu who rejected Sanda's application for bail, however granted that of her co-accussed.

Maryam, her mother, Meimunat Aliyu, a former Director of Aso Savings and Loans, and two other members of their family are being prosecuted by the federal government on their alleged complicity in the death of the late Bilyamin.

Meimuna, Aliyu Sanda and Sadia Aminu were alleged to have tampered with evidence of the said offence.

They were arraigned on a two count criminal charge proffered against them by the police.

They however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

While count one of the charge bothers on murder and culpable homicide and directed ‎at Maryam, the second bothering on conceding true information from the police and tampering with evidence was targeted at the three other defendants.

Following their not guilty plea, Prosecuting Counsel, James Idachaba, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable them prepare for the trial.

Responding, Defense Counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, however brought an application praying the court to admit the defendants to bail pending their trial.

But the application for bail was opposed by Prosecution counsel.

In his ruling on the bail application for Maryam, the trial judge, Ju‎stice Yusuf Halilu held that the applicant did not give an exceptional circumstance to warrant the court to exercise it's discretion in her favour.

He noted that the defence counsel  in his submission stated Maryam is having a life threatening sickness which cannot be taken care of by the prison facility.

The court however held that the applicant did not present a proof that such sickness cannot be handled by the prison facility.

Responding on the second ground canvassed by Daudu that Maryam is having an eight month old baby, the court held that such factor cannot be a ground for the court to exercise it's discretion in favour of the defendant.

The court consequently refused the bail application for Maryam.