Court remands couple for alleged cruelty to children

A Jimeta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Yola on Tuesday ordered that a couple, Abubakar Yuguda and Fatima Abubakar, be remanded for allegedly maltreating two minors.

Chief Magistrate Musa Adamu ordered that the first defendant, Abubakar, and the second defendant, Yuguda, both of Makama B Ward, Yola Town, be remanded at the correctional facility until October 21.

Adamu said the decision was to follow up on further investigation and witnesses to corroborate the first defendant’s plea of guilt and to commence the hearing for the second defendant.

NAN reports that the first defendant pleaded guilty to the two-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and cruelty to persons, while the second defendant pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, ASP Iliya Akawu, prayed the court to adjourn the matter until October 21 for further investigation and to provide witnesses to corroborate the defendants’ plea of guilt and commence the hearing.

The Defence Counsel, Mohammed Umar, who did not object to the application for adjournment, prayed the court to grant his clients bail, saying they would produce reliable sureties and would not jump bail if granted.

Earlier, the prosecution opposed the bail application, saying the offence was not ordinarily bailable and that the victims were still in a medical facility due to the severity of the injuries sustained.

“The police and medical team are following up on the treatment and monitoring the health status of the children.

“The first defendant has pleaded guilty already, and the presumption of innocence is no longer on her part; hence, they may likely commit the same offence if released on bail.

“This is indeed a failure and negligence of the defendants, as their action and inaction have shown that they care less for children who are not their biological children,” he said.

The magistrate further stated that bail was a constitutional right of any defendant; however, it was at the discretion of the court. He hence ordered the remand of the defendants until October 21.

The police said Hajiya Zainab Mohammed of Shelleng LGA in Adamawa reported the matter at the police station on Oct. 3 at about 11:00 a.m.

The prosecutor alleged that the victims of the alleged offence were Yuguda’s children with his ex-wife.

The police alleged that the victims were tortured by the first defendant.

He told the court that the act was visibly captured on video as evidence by Mohammed, which showed Abubakar beating Hafsat with a cable for urinating and defecating in the room.

Akawu further alleged that Yuguda failed to assume his full responsibility and guardianship and condoned the excesses of his wife by neglecting the wellbeing of his children.

He said the offence contravened sections 60 and 209 (2) of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa 2018.