A Magistrates’ Court in Minna, Niger State has ordered the remand of a 20-year-old housewife, Zulai Kabiru, standing trial for allegedly killing her eight-month-old stepdaughter.
The accused is standing trial on a count charge of culpable homicide, contrary to Section 221 of the penal code law.
The magistrate, Ramatu Adamu, did not take the plea of the accused on the ground that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The magistrate directed the police to forward the case file to the state director of public prosecution for legal advice.
She ordered the accused to be remanded in prison and adjourned the matter till November 6 for further mention.
Earlier, police prosecutor, Emmanuel Ogiri, told the court that the accused’s husband, Kabiru Labbo of Danauta village in Mariga Local Government, reported the matter at Bangi Divisional Police station on September 9.
Mr Ogiri alleged that Zulai, while seeking revenge after a quarrel with her mate, fed the eight months old baby with a locally prepared rat poison, popularly known as otapia-pia.
He told the court that the accused was arrested following her husband’s complaint at the police station.
