Blasphemy: Court remands suspects in Deborah’s murder case

Two suspects, Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunci were arraigned on Monday, May 16, over the lynching of a 200-Level student, Deborah Samuel in Sokoto.

The suspects who are co-students of the deceased, were remanded at a Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court.

According to Prosecuting Inspector. Khalil Musa investigation is ongoing as the two suspects pleaded not guilty.

The lead counsel for the defendants, Prof. Mansur Ibrahim, applied for their bail on liberal terms, citing constitutional provisions and sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

The trial judge whose name remains anonymous, reserved the ruling on the bail application and ordered that the accused be remanded at a correctional centre.

The cause of Deborah’s murder was reportedly a blasphemous statement on a WhatsApp chat platform set up by her coursemates and her refusal to remove her post after being asked to.

Violent protesters have stormed the street demanding the release of the suspects linked to the lynching of Deborah.

A 24-hour curfew was imposed by Governor Aminu Tambuwal in the whole of Sokoto on Saturday, May 14 to restore order in the state.

A disk till dawn curfew however persists in the state following a relax order on Monday, May 16.