Former Executive Director of Aso Savings and Loans Ltd, Maimuna Aliyu, who is mother of Maryam Sanda and two others were today arraigned before a high court of Federal Capital Territory( FCT) Abuja for allegedly being accomplices in the murder of Bilyamin Bello, the son of Ex-Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The three family members were joined in the murder case when the prosecution counsel, James Idachaba filed an amended charge before the court after police completed their preliminary investigation.
The court took their plea and they all pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.
The defence counsel, Joseph Daudu while asking the court to grant bail to his clients argued that a medical certificate has been tendered before the court that she needed a medical attention. He submitted that maternal care is critical to the survival of the seven months old baby of the defendant.
Daudu said that all the evidence put forward by the prosecution indicated that there was no third party.
He prayed the court to grant his client bail pending the hearing and determination of the case adding that the first defendant is anxious to clear her name. He, therefore, told the court that the defendant would not jump bail. On his part, the prosecution counsel, James Idachaba stated that the defendant has been enjoying administrative bail. He submitted that the defendants should remain in custody pending their trial .
He however said that he would leave the issue of bail to the court to exercise its discretion.
After listening to both parties, the presiding judge, Justice Halilu Yusuf adjourned the case to 3:00 pm for ruling on the bail application sought by the defense counsel.
Meanwhile, Maimuna Aliyu’s alleged corruption trial before another court which was scheduled for Thursday could not hold because of the criminal case filed.
Mrs. Aliyu had been charged by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for allegedly selling off three plots of land – 2432, 2433, and 2434 – in Cadastral Zone, B08, Jahi District, Abuja, for N57m on behalf of Aso Savings and Loans without remitting the sum to the bank. (SR)