The ongoing trial of Maryam Sanda for alleged murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, suffered another adjournment yesterday for the third time.
The case was adjourned because of the withdrawal of three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) Joseph Daudu, A. T. Kehinde and Rotimi Ogunesan, who are defence counsel.
The prosecution alleged that Sanda, on November 19, last year, at their home in Abuja, conspired and murdered her husband, Bello, son of a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Dr Haliru Bello.
Charged with Sanda are her mother, Mrs Maimuna Aliyu, her brother, Aliyu Sanda and her housemaid, Sadiya Aminu.
In March, Sanda was granted bail following a medical report that she was pregnant and that she could not withstand the rigours of the Suleja prison.
The court also considered her asthmatic condition as among the reasons for granting her bail.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, the prosecuting counsel, James Idachaba, informed the court that he had been served with three different letters on the trial.
Idachaba said the three letters were from the defence lawyers, who announced their withdrawal from the case.
The lawyer said the content of the letters also informed him of the takeover of the defence by another lawyer, Mr Olusegun Jolaawo, of Ricky Tarfa Chambers.
He sought the court’s permission for an adjournment to enable the defence regularise its appearance in the case.
Idachaba informed the court that Sanda, who recently put to bed, was also absent from court.
Jolaawo informed the court that a report from the hospital where the accused put to bed stated that she must be allowed at least a six-week rest after delivery to be fit to appear for trial.
The lawyer pleaded with the court to grant an adjournment to enable the new chamber study the case files.
Justice Halilu granted the defence lawyer’s request and adjourned the matter till October 24 for definite continuation of hearing.
