Maryam Sanda: Court orders police to provide names, witness statements to defence

Justice Yusuf Halilu of an FCT High Court on Monday ordered the police to provide names and witness statements  to the defence counsel in the trial of Maryam Sanda and three others, charged with the alleged killing  of , Bilyaminu, a nephew of former PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bello uhammad.
NAN reports that Sanda was docked alongside her brother, Aliyu Sanda; her mother, Maimuna Aliyu and one Sadiya, who were accused of assisting her to conceal the evidence by cleaning the blood of the deceased from the scene of the crime.
The offence they all pleaded not guilty.
Justice Haliru, gave the order after Sanda’ s counsel, Olusegun Jolaawo objected to prosecution counsel, Fidelis Ogbobe’s moves to bring Ms Josephine Onyengo to replace one Hussain Okpetu, who was transfered to Edo.
The judge in a ruling, said: “The provision of the law must be complied with, the court will adjourn until January 22, on the instance of the prosecution.
“The prosecution should ensure that the remaining witnesses are listed in the proof of evidence.”
Jolaawo objected to the moves, saying: “the police is trying to ambush me and my clients”.
He added: “The action of the prosecution is against the provisions of Section 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.”
Also, Hussein Musa, counsel for the other defendants, aligned with Jolaawo, submitting that the essence of listing of witness in proof of evidence was to enable parties prepare themselves.