The Nigeria  Police in Abuja has explained why it cannot remand Maryam Sanda, the wife of Bilyaminu Bello, son of ex-PDP chairman, Haliru Bello, who she allegedly stabbed to death during a fight at their Abuja residence last Sunday.

According to the spokesperson of the FCT police command, Anjuguri Manzah, Maryam cannot be remanded in prison because she is a nursing mother of a six-month-old daughter. 

Maryam who is said to be the second wife of the deceased after he divorced his first wife to marry her, has been arraigned before an Abuja High court on a two-count charge of culpable homicide. The case has been assigned to the Chief Judge of FCT.  Part of the charge sheet reads

‘“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 stabbing him on the chest with broken bottle which eventually led to his death, you therecommitted an offence punishable under section 221 of the Penal Code Law. 

“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 stabbing him on the chest with broken bottle on the neck thereendangering his life, you therecommitted an offence contrary to section 240 (g) and punishable under section 247 of the Penal Code Law.”

The FCT police command’s spokesperson in a statement said that 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. 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 charge sheet below