But the court granted bail to her mother, Maimuna Aliyu; brother, Aliyu Sanda; and another person, Sadiya Aminu, the three co-defendants with whom the prime suspect was re-arraigned on Thursday. After they all pleaded not guilty to the amended two counts, on Thursday, their lawyer, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued their bail applications. Ruling on the applications on Thursday, the judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, held that he was “not favourably disposed to” granting bail to Maryam. The judge also held that her status as a mother nursing an eight-month-old baby was not part of exceptional circumstances that could warrant her being granted bail. The judge, however, held that the offences the three others were accused of were bailable and granted them bail.

Source: Punch December 15, 2017 00:00 UTC