Court orders housewife accused of stabbing domestic staff to death to undergo mental evaluation
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 a one-count charge 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 medical certificate from Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital dated Feb.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 (NAN) recalls that the court on Feb.8, ordered that Suraj should be mentally evaluated by a Medical Doctor at Kurmawa Correctional Center, after she remained mute.
The Prosecution Counsel, Mrs Halima Yahuza, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Dec.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 circumstances.
“No circumstances stated in the bail application, I here by refuse the bail application”
She therefore ordered for accelerated hearing and adjourned the matter until March 26, for further mention.
The three defendants were alleged to have gave 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 Defense Counsel, Sani Ammani, Haruna Magashi and Rabiu Abdullahi, urged the court to adjourned matter not more than 14 days for hearing or day to day hearing pursuant to section 390(3)(4) of ACJL 2019 Kano State.(NAN)
