By Mustapha Yauri
Continuation of hearing has been fixed for March 21, in the trial of Abubakar Haliru, accused of kidnapping his cousin, Hajiya Binta Mohammed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Haliru was brought before Justice Kabir Dabo of High Court 1, Dogarawa Zaria, Kaduna State, over alleged kidnapping, contrary to the provisions of Section 246 of the Penal Code Laws of Kaduna State.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, the Prosecution Counsel, Mrs Jummai Dan-Azumi, said the prosecution had three witnesses to call, while the defence counsel, Isa Shuaibu, also affirmed that he was ready.
However, the presiding judge, Dabo, said he could not take the witnesses as the case was slated for mention not hearing.
Dabo said at the last adjourned date, Feb. 21, that the counsel were not in court to continue with the hearing, adding his court maintained proper case management.
The judge said he adjourned the matter to Feb. 28, Monday, for further mention and rescheduled hearing.
NAN reports that on Jan. 24 and 25, the victim, Mohammed, while testifying as prosecution witness number one, alleged that her cousin, the defendant, masterminded her kidnap.
She said on Aug. 10, 2021, the defendant called her and requested her to accompany him to Dan Magaji, Zaria, to see one Alhaji Salisu in respect of the money for her tricycle business.
According to her, Haliru then handed her over to kidnappers where she spent eight weeks in their den.
She claimed the kidnappers collected N5.5 million, N70,000 worth of recharge cards and two mobile phones before she regained her freedom. (NAN)
