Besides, the prime suspect, Abdulmaliq Tanko, revealed that he was electrocuted with unknown device and threatened with dangerous weapons by the security officers while making statement, which he claimed he refused to sign.
Similarly, the third defendant, Fatima Musa, told the court that she was threatened and offered N250,000 compensation by the security officials if she decided to cooperate with them.
At the resumed hearing of the trial on Thursday, the prosecution counsel, who doubles as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Kano, Barr. Musa A. Lawan, presented four witnesses who gave testimonies before the trial Judge, Justice Usman Na’aba.
Those that gave account on the commission of the crime against the suspects include Jamila Sani, wife of the prime suspect, Tanko, who had since been held at the Department of State Security (DSS), another female and two police officers.
Jamila who appeared in the witnessed box with her four months old baby, narrated how her husband deceived her that Hanifa was brought to their house because the parents of the deceased traveled to Abuja for documentation of a job secured in Saudi Arabia.
She revealed that although, her husband took Hanifa out of their home after spending five days with the hope of returning her (Hanifa) to the parents, Jamila claimed that Hanifa’s death only came to her knowledge when the DSS came to arrested her and the husband.
The mood of the court, however, changed when the defense counsel, Barr. Muktar L. Usman, objected to the submission of the first prosecution witness, Sergeant Rilwan Ibrahim for inconsistency in his evidence on the first and third suspects statements.
The defense solicitor, who also doubles as Deputy Director at Legal Aid Council, Kano office, faulted the method applied by the police to obtaining the suspects statement, insisting the police failed to comply with provisions of Criminal Administration of Justice Act (CAJA).
Usman, who sought the court permission to order for a trial within trial, to clear the claims and counter claims of the witnesses and suspects, urged for diligence in the execution of the matter.
Although the prosecution counsel, Barr. Musa A. Lawan did not object to the request of the defense, Justice Na’aba granted the request for trial within trial.
While given evidence, the first (Tanko) and third (Fatima) suspects claimed they offered to respond positively to all questions asked by the police after being frightened with death threats.
After an exhaustive examination and cross examination by the counsels, Justice Na’aba adjourned ruling on the trial within trial and continuation of hearing on the main trial to March 9 and 10, 2022.
