Police: Why it’s difficult to remand wife ‘who murdered’ son of ex-PDP chairman
The federal capital territory (FCT) police command says it is difficult to remand Maryam Sanda who allegedly murdered Bilyaminu Bello, son of a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Anjuguri Manzah, police public relations officer in FCT, said though the command had secured an order to detain the suspect for two weeks, it will not be easy because she has a six-month-old baby.
Sanda reportedly stabbed the victim to death as a result of suspicion that he was cheating on her.
The suspect has been arraigned before an FCT high court on a two-count charge.
In the charge sheet seen by TheCable, Sanda was accused of committing an offence punishable by death.
“That you Mariam Sanda Female, Adult of N0 4 Pakail Close, Wuse 2 Abuja, on or about the at 19/11/2017 at about 0350 hours at Pakail Close, Wuse zone 2, Abuja within the Abuja Judicial Division, did commit the offence of culpable homicide punishable with death. In that you caused the death of one Bilyaminu Bello Halliru, male of N0 4 Pakail close, Wuse zone 2, Abuja by stabbing him on the chest with broken bottle which eventually led to his death, you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 221 of the Penal Code Law,” the sheet read.
The charge sheet
“That you Mariam Sanda Female, Adult of N0 4 Pakail Close, Wuse 2 Abuja, on or about the at 19/11/2017 at about 0350 hours at Pakail Close, Wuse zone 2, Abuja within the Abuja Judicial Division, did commit the offence of causing grievous hurt. In that you stabbed one Bilyaminu Bello Halliru, male of N0 4 Pakail close, Wuse zone 2, Abuja by stabbing him on the chest with broken bottle on the neck thereby endangering his life, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 240 (g) and punishable under section 247 of the Penal Code Law.”
Manzah said at the end of the investigation, it would be clear if the charges could be amended.
“It should also be noted that this present charge is as a result of preliminary findings. At the end of the investigation, additional findings will determine whether the current charge will be amended or whether other persons will be charged along with the suspect,” he said in a statement.
“To assist the police with its ongoing investigation, some persons have been invited for questioning on the matter. Investigation on the case is still on-going and the public will kept abreast of any further development.
“Sequel to the aforementioned facts on the current status of the case, the command wishes to assure members of the public that investigation will be carried out professionally.”
The police professionalism will be greatly tested in this case. This is going to be landmark case, it could redefine jurisprudence in some many ways in criminal prosecution for murder charges. Opinion is divided, social media warriors have taken positions with no middle ground.
The facts of the case have been significantly altered in these charges. Time of crime is around 1.30am because 2 family members left the house about 1.30am. His call to the security guard was about 1.36am. She drove him to the hospital at 1.45am.He was dead before they arrived their first port of call- Abuja clinics. From Abuja clinics they proceeded to Maitama Hospital. How could she have stabbed him at 3.50am. Secondly the murder weapon was a knife which you (police) found hidden in her cupboard. She attempted using the groundnut bottle earlier but was restrained by a relative present – that was found in the green bin outside. Nigerian Police must redeem themselves. This case is a test.
Kindly know that God knows what parents do not know. Which is that they should stay away from children in the choice of partners as they will live with each other for life, while understanding of each other will depend on the stress of togetherness in family love and resilience.