The trial of Maryam Sanda,
who was accused of killing her husband Bilyamin Bello, has suffered another
setback as three senior lawyers in the defense team have withdrawn their
representations, Daily Trust reports.
Maryam, who was accused by
the police of causing the death of Bello, son of former Chairman of the
People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bello Halliru Muhammad was docked
alongside her mother, Maimuna Aliyu, her brother, Aliyu Sanda and one Sadiya,
who were accused of assisting her to conceal the evidence by cleaning the blood
of the deceased from the scene of the crime.
Daily Trust reports that
Joseph B. Daudu (SAN); Rotimi Ogunesan (SAN); A. T. Kehinde (SAN) had been
representing Maryam, Aliyu and Maimuna in the trial before the latest
development while Olusegun O. Jolaawo from the chambers of Messrs Ricky Tarfa
& co represents Sadiya.
In a notice of withdrawal
of counsel filed before the court said to be in “pursuant to Section 492(3) of
the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015”, Maryam’s counsel asked the
court to “Take notice that Mr. J.B. Daudu SAN hereby withdraws appearance as
counsel to Maryam Sanda charged as 1st defendant in this case.” The notice was
dated September 18 and signed by Daudu.
In a similar notice, signed
by counsel to the second defendant, Rotimi Ogunesan (SAN) dated September 20,
the court was informed of the counsel’s withdrawal from the trial.
Although no reasons were
stated in the notices for the withdrawal, there are speculations however on
issues surrounding legal fees not being paid promptly. The families of the
defendants could however not be reached for confirmation.
It was also gathered from
court papers that the trial scheduled to resume on Thursday may not proceed as
planned as the remaining legal team for the defendants (from the Chambers of
Ricky Tarfa & co) has written to the Registrar of the trial court to apply
for “a vacation of the scheduled date of 4th October, 2018 and for an
adjournment.”
The letter, signed by the
chambers’ deputy head, Olusegun O. Jolaawo, stated that:
“The matter stands
adjourned to the 4th of October, 2018 for continuation of hearing. However, the
1st defendant, Maryam Sanda was delivered of a baby boy on the 7th of August,
2018 at the Nizamiye Hospital Ltd. Abuja and is still recuperating. She is not yet
strong enough to withstand the rigours of trial.”
“We are in receipt of
notices of withdrawal of representation recently filed by the counsels to the
1st and 2nddefendants herein and pursuant to which there has been indication
from the said defendants that we are to take over the representation of the
1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants in addition to that of the 4th defendant”, the
letter added.
Based on these
developments, the court was asked to consider November 7, 8, 13 or 14 as new
dates for the continuation of trial.
When the matter was
mentioned on May 15, it was adjourned to June 28 and 29 in view of a letter
sent to the court by Maryam Sanda’s lawyer requesting for an adjournment due to
ill health on his part.
When the matter came up on
June 28, the prosecutor, CSP James Idachaba pleaded with the court to grant an
adjournment on the ground that he was not feeling well enough to proceed with
the case. The case was thereafter adjourned to October 4 for continuation of
hearing.
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