The Kano State government has dropped murder charges against a 14-year-old girl, who reportedly killed her husband.
The child bride, Wasila Tasiu allegedly thumb-printed a confessional statement while in police custody that she killed her husband, Umar Sani through application of rat poison in his local delicacy.
Tasiu was said to to have taken the action after she was forced to marry the deceased against her wish.
However, a government lawyer, Abba Lamido Sorondinki made an oral application before the Gezewa High Court, Kano, where Tasiu had been standing trial in the last 20 months that the accused person be set free as the state was no longer interested in prosecuting her.
“I am declaring the government position of dropping the charges against her and she should be set free,” Sorondinki said.
But the presiding judge, Justice Muhammad Yahaya ordered the prosecution counsel to follow due process, pointing out that “the law is explicit on procedure of dropping charges and this is through written and not oral application.’’
In his reaction, the defence Counsel, Hussaina Aliyu doubted government sincerity, adding that, “we expect government to enter nolle prosequi and this has been our position that the girl should be discharged and acquitted.”
Aliyu further said that “government’s current position is nothing but a trap as the incoming administration may decide to re-open the case against my client,’’ adding, ‘’we demand for total freedom for my client and we will continue to press for what is right until justice is done.”
