By Musa Ubandawaki (Sokoto State Correspondent)
The chief Magistrate Court IV sitting in Sokoto has granted bail to the 3 accused persons joined in a case of alleged rape brought before it contrary to the provision of section 260 ( 2) of Sokoto state penal code.
The presiding judge, Justice Shuaibu Ahamad, said the 2nd. 3rd and 4th were not properly joined the offence committed with the 1st offender Hayatu Tafida based on First Information Report presented by the police.
He said the court have no option than to strike the case against the 2nd,3rd and 4th defendant due to lack of sufficient evidence to link them with the offence in question.
The suspects were Aminu Hayatu Tafida, Umar Abubakar, Mas'ud Abubakar Gidado and Aliyu Shehu Kangiwa, who appeared on the Police First Information Report (FIR) as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4rd respondents
The prosecution police officer superintendent Samuel Suleman however presented to the court a fresh FIR on charges of Rape against the 1st accuse Aminu Hayatu Tafida
He said the second, third and fourth respondent were arraigned before the court on separate FIR for alleged defamation of character, Conspiracy and sales or printing of materials known to be defamatory against section 260. 377.262.48.171.173 and 379 of the Sokoto state penal code.
The presiding judge however granted application for bail of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondent at 500.000 naira each and to produce a blood related bailiff who is residing in Sokoto and has a 500,000 naira in his account and the person must tender his bank statement to before the court as condition
All the four accused persons pleaded not guilty to offence when the FIR was read to them.
He then directed the accused persons to be remanded in prison custody pending when the bail conditions will be met.
The case is however adjourned to 19th of October 2020 for further mentioning and to allow police to conclude their investigations into the matter. NNL.
