The Abuja Division of the High Court has adjourned until June 4 the hearing in the final written addresses in a case of alleged homicide filed against Aliyu Abubakar, a fruit hawker.

The police charged Mr Abubakar, who sells fruits in Zuba market, with causing the death of another fruit hawker, Usman Sani, when he hit him with a stone on the head.

The police said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 221 of the Penal Code, which is punishment by death.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, the prosecution counsel, Umoh Inah, told the court that his second witness, SP Micah, had an accident and died.

He told the court that the prosecution could use the evidence of the lone witness already called.

The counsel for the defendant, Ade Olusalako, called his first and lone witness, who is the defendant himself.

Testifying, when his counsel led him in evidence, the defendant told the court that the deceased had baskets of fruits belonging to him.

He said, “When I told him that the baskets belonged to me, he insulted and beat me up. We engaged in a fist fight. He called his town’s men and the fight continued. I pushed him and he fell, and he was rushed to the hospital while I was taken to the police station. After one week, his people came to the station to tell me that Usman was dead and that it was likely from an asthmatic attack.’’

He told the court that the deceased relatives said he suffered from asthma from birth.

During cross-examination by the prosecution counsel, the defendant told the court that he did not give any information at the police station.

Asked if he did not write any statements, he said he did not.

The prosecution counsel told the court that the defendant’s statement and coroner report were evidence before the court.

Asked if he hit the deceased on the head with a stone, resulting in his death, he said he did not.

The defendant’s counsel then closed his case.

Justice Yusuf Halilu adjourned until June 4 for the adoption of final written addresses.

He added that the defendant should be returned to the correctional service. 

(NAN)