Three university students- one from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the other two from the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai in Niger State have been arraigned before a Minna Senior Magistrate’s Court for alleged murder.

The suspects were arrested on July 23, 2018, for allegedly causing the death of another 300-level student, Sanusi Mubarak.

They were docked on Thursday before Senior Magistrate Fatai Auna on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide contrary to section 97, and 221 of the penal code law.

Narrating the incident, the prosecution told the court that the deceased Sanusi Mubarak was beaten to death by the suspects after he was alleged to have stolen a HTC android telephone handset that cost N32,000, belonging to one of the accused persons.

According to the prosecution, “The accused persons picked up the deceased from Etsu-Iko hostel and took him to Cheche village where he was illegally detained.

“During the detention, the deceased was beaten to stupor before being put in a toilet where he lost consciousness.

“He, however, died on his way to the hospital after the trio later tried to help him regain consciousness.”

The case, according to the prosecution, was reported at the Lapai Division of the Niger State Police Command by the Chief Security Officer of the IBBUL, Captain Aliyu Mohammed (rtd), leading to the arrest of the accused persons.
Senior Magistrate Auna, in a ruling said he had no jurisdiction to entertain the case and therefore advised the prosecution to duplicate the case file and forward one copy to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.

Auna also directed the counsel to the accused persons to apply in writing for the bail of the suspects and directed that they should be remanded in prison custody till September 4, 2018.