Alleged Blasphemy: Arrested Suspects Remanded In Prison Over Deborah’s Murder

The Police have arraigned two suspects in connection with the murder of the 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Deborah Samuel, who was accused of blasphemy.

The suspects – Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunchi – who are also students of the college, were arraigned before a magistrate’s court in the state on Monday.

According to the Police First Information Report, the suspects were arraigned as a result of the mob action which led to the lynching of the student.

After the suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges, the police prosecutor, Inspector Khalil Musa, urged the court for another date to enable the police complete their investigation.

However, the defence counsels led by Professor Mansur Ibrahim, who did not oppose the application, pleaded with the court to grant the defendants bail, citing sections 157, 161(a,f) and 164 of the administration of criminal justice law of Sokoto state, as well as 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The court however adjourned ruling on the application to a later date which would be communicated to the lawyers.

It, therefore, directed the defendants to be remanded at the Sokoto Correctional Centre