No fewer than 34 lawyers were on the defence team of the two suspects allegedly inviolved in the lynching of 200-Level students of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Deborah Sanuel, as operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, arraigned them in court, yesterday, in Sokoto.
The suspects, Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunci, were docked at a Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court for their alleged participation in the crime.
Their arraignment came on a day Governor Aminu Tambuwal of the state lifted the 24-hour curfew imposed on Sokoto metropolis in the aftermath of the protest that trailed the arrest of the two suspects.
The accused persons also pleaded not guilty to the crime.
Leading a team of 34 lawyers, the defence counsel, Mansur Ibrahim, applied for the bail of the accused persons on liberal terms, citing constitutional provisions and sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.
The trial judge reserved ruling on the bail application and ordered the accused to be remanded in custody.
Prosecuting inspector, Khalil Musa, told the court that an investigation was in progress.
Last Thursday, a mob of Muslim extremists killed and burnt the young lady over alleged blasphemy.
Tambuwal relaxes Sokoto curfew
Also, yesterday, Governor Aminu Tambuwal relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on Sokoto metropolis on Saturday over breach of peace and violence that followed the murder of Deborah Sanuel.
The curfew will now be from dusk to dawn.
The lifting of the curfew was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Isa Bajini-Galadanchi. He stated that the relaxation of the curfew followed a briefing by security agencies in the state.
“The review is to enable people go about their legitimate businesses and other means of livelihood,” he added.
The commissioner quoted Tambuwal as advising residents to maintain peace, and warned that government would not condone any breach of the law.
