The Sokoto State Attorney General, Suleiman Usman (SAN), has taken over the case filed against one Aliyu Sunusi Umar who hit a 16- year- old student, Fatima Suleiman, resulting in the amputation of her leg.
Umar was charged before the Chief Magistrate Court, Arkilla over reckless driving, driving without licence and causing grievous hurt.
During the court session on Monday, the Attorney General orally requested the court to allow him to take over the case, citing Section 211 of the 1999 constitution as amended and 106 of the Sokoto State Administration of Justice law.
Represented by Barrister Sufyanu Umar Maikulki, AG Suleman said, the aforementioned laws have enabled him to take over the prosecution of any criminal cases initiated by any person or authority within the state.
He also requested the court to adjourn the case by one week to enable him to prepare for the case.
However, the defence counsel, Jocob Ochidi (SAN) objected to the oral application which he said was premature because the court had already agreed to grant the case an accelerated hearing, commencing from tomorrow (Tuesday).
Ochidi added that, if the trial was not going to be accelerated as earlier ordered by the court then his client should be granted bail.
“I urge the court to do justice to the defendant because from the look of things this case will be prolonged,” he said
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Mariya Haruna Dogon Daji, declined to grant the defendant bail, saying it was premature to grant him bail at this stage.
She adjourned the case till September 19 for the commencement of hearing while remanding the defendant in the prison.
