TheCable

A chief magistrates’ court in Katsina state has ordered the remand of one Muhammad Bello, 45, a teenage girl, and three others for allegedly killing a newborn baby born out of wedlock.

The suspects were said to have fed a dog with the corpse of the child.

Altine Ragiji, police prosecutor, told the court that the incident occurred at Saika village in Batsari local government area of the state.

According to him, a traditional ruler in the town reported to the police that a teenage girl (names withheld, 15), gave birth to a child out of wedlock.

He explained that upon investigations, Bello, 45; Musa Bello, 35; Umar Bello, 27, and the girl’s mother, Faiza Umar, 30, were arrested in connection with the case.

Ragiji revealed that the accused persons confessed to have killed the baby and fed a dog with the assistance of the girl’s mother.

He said the teenage mother further told the police that she was lured by one Musa Garba, 30, to his farm and forcefully had a sexual intercourse with her about 10 months ago.

“Since then, I missed my menstruation and later delivered,” the girl reportedly told the police during investigation.

The accused persons were charged for “an act done with intent to prevent child being alive after birth” contrary to sections 85, 235 and 387 of the penal code.

Nura El-Ladan, chief magistrate, said the case was brought to the court for cognisance.

El-Ladan directed the police to conduct further investigations on the matter, and ordered that they be remanded in custody.

The court adjourned the case to August 8 for further mention.