A Kano State High Court, on Wednesday, again ordered that Hafsat Suraj, 24, should be referred to the state psychiatric hospital for mental evaluation.
The defendant, who lives in Unguwa Uku Quarters Kano, is facing one count of culpable homicide.
Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, ordered that the defendant be referred to the state psychiatric doctor for treatment and evaluation.
“After which I will make a comparison with the defendant’s medical certificate from Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital dated February 26, to enable the court look at the report to exercise fair Justice.”
He also ordered that the defendant should be kept in the custody of Kurmawa Correctional Centre in Kano.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the court on February 8, ordered that Suraj should be mentally evaluated by a medical doctor at Kurmawa Correctional Center, after she remained mute.
The Prosecution Counsel, Halima Yahuza, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on December 21, 2023, at Unguwa Uku Quarters Kano.
She alleged that Suraj on the same date stabbed her domestic staff, Nafiu Hafizu, 38, on his chest and other parts of his body, which led to his death.
The offence contravenes the provisions of section 221 of Penal Code.
Meanwhile, the State High Court refuses to grant bail to Suraj’s husband, Dayyabu Abdullahi, Adamu Muhammad and Nasidi Muhammad, for concealment of fact over alleged murder of Nafiu.
Justice Zuwaira, in a ruling held that the offence is serious in nature, the defendants cannot be granted bail, except in a special circumstance.
“No circumstances stated in the bail application, I hereby refuse the bail application.”
She therefore ordered for accelerated hearing and adjourned the matter until March 26, for further mention.
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The three defendants were alleged to have given false information with intention to screen Suraj from legal punishment on the alleged murder of Nafiu.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Earlier, the Defence Counsel, Sani Ammani, Haruna Magashi and Rabiu Abdullahi, urged the court to adjourn the matter not more than 14 days for hearing or day to day hearing pursuant to section 390(3)(4) of ACJL 2019 Kano State.
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