An elderly man, Bello Usman, alongside his son and another suspect, has been arraigned before a Yola High Court in Adamawa State over the alleged killing of a woman identified as Dudu Usman.

The suspects—Bello Usman, 50; his biological son, Naziru Bello, 20; and Ahmed Chubado, 20—are all from Digno community in Daware District of Fufore Local Government Area. They were arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Benjamin Lawan Manji on a three-count charge of culpable homicide and mischief by fire.

According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly beat Dudu Usman to death with sticks and set her house ablaze following accusations of witchcraft. The deceased was said to be the sister of the first defendant, Bello Usman.

The court heard that on 26 August 2025, the trio allegedly stormed the victim’s residence, accusing her of bewitching the second defendant, Naziru Bello. During the incident, she was reportedly assaulted and her house set on fire.

Prosecutors told the court that the victim was rushed to the Specialist Hospital for medical treatment but later died, as confirmed by the attending medical doctor.

When the charges were read and interpreted to them, all three defendants pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the state, Shuaibu Musa (DLR), applied for an adjournment to enable the prosecution to call its witnesses. The application was not opposed by defence counsel, A. U. Sangare.

Justice Benjamin Lawan Manji subsequently adjourned the case to 16, 17, and 18 February 2026 for the commencement of hearing.