Court orders alleged husband killer, Maryam Sanda, to enter defence

Bilyamin Bello son of former PDP chairman and wife Maryam Sanda who allegedly stabbed him to death

An FCT High Court in Maitama on Thursday dismissed a no-case submission made by Maryam Sanda, accused of killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.

Sanda is facing trial for allegedly killing Bello, who was a nephew of former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bello Muhammad.

Justice Yusuf Halilu, in his ruling on Thursday, held that the prosecution had presented several witnesses with evidence to back their case, making it important to hear the story from the defence.

The judge said: “From the evidence of prosecution witnesses one to six adduced before me, a thick cloud seems to form around the case of the prosecution, making it impossible at this point of time for the other side not to be considered.

“The submissions of the ‘no case to answer’ as it were in this particular situation is overruled.”

The court also discharged and acquitted Sanda’s mother, Maimuna Aliyu; brother, Aliyu Sanda and house maid, Sadiya Aminu, whom the police accused of playing the role of accomplice to conceal the evidence by cleaning the deceased’s blood from the crime scene.

The judge ruled that the police, either by omission or commission, were unable to prove their case against them.

He also ordered that the trial shall be on a day-to-day basis unless otherwise decided by the court.

The case was then adjourned till May 6 for definite defence.