08:56:00
Shola Alade
Thursday, May 21, 2015
The Kano State government has dropped murder charges against 14-year-old girl, Wasila Tasi’u, who had been on trial for killing her 35-year-old husband.
Wasila allegedly thumb-printed a confessional statement while in police custody that she killed her husband, Umar Sani by putting rat poison in his food after she was forced to marry the deceased against her wish.
According to lead prosecutor for the state, Lamido Abba Soron-Dinki, if Wasila can be proven guilty, the charge is “punishable with death” and the state would seek the maximum penalty.
However, Soron-Dinki made an oral application before the Gezewa High Court, Kano, where Tasiu had been standing trial in the last 20 months that the accused person be set free as the state was no longer interested in prosecuting her.
Reacting to the development, the defence Counsel, Hussaina Aliyu doubted government sincerity, adding that, “we expect government to enter nolle prosequi and this has been our position that the girl should be discharged and acquitted.”
Aliyu added that “government’s current position is nothing but a trap as the incoming administration may decide to re-open the case against my client.
“We demand for total freedom for my client and we will continue to press for what is right until justice is done.”
Wasila allegedly thumb-printed a confessional statement while in police custody that she killed her husband, Umar Sani by putting rat poison in his food after she was forced to marry the deceased against her wish.
According to lead prosecutor for the state, Lamido Abba Soron-Dinki, if Wasila can be proven guilty, the charge is “punishable with death” and the state would seek the maximum penalty.
However, Soron-Dinki made an oral application before the Gezewa High Court, Kano, where Tasiu had been standing trial in the last 20 months that the accused person be set free as the state was no longer interested in prosecuting her.
“I am declaring the government position of dropping the charges against her and she should be set free,” Sorondinki said.Justice Muhammad Yahaya, however, ordered the prosecution counsel to follow due process, pointing out that “the law is explicit on procedure of dropping charges and this is through written and not oral application.”
Reacting to the development, the defence Counsel, Hussaina Aliyu doubted government sincerity, adding that, “we expect government to enter nolle prosequi and this has been our position that the girl should be discharged and acquitted.”
Aliyu added that “government’s current position is nothing but a trap as the incoming administration may decide to re-open the case against my client.
“We demand for total freedom for my client and we will continue to press for what is right until justice is done.”
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