The Jimeta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Yola on Tuesday ordered that a couple, Yuguda Abubakar and Fatima Abubakar, be remanded for allegedly maltreating two minors.

Chief Magistrate Musa Adamu ordered that the defendants of Makama B ward, Yola Town, be remanded at the correctional facility until October 21.

Mr Adamu said the decision was to follow up on further investigation and witnesses to corroborate the first defendant’s (Mr Abubakar) guilty plea and possible summary trial and commencement of hearing for the second defendant.

The first defendant pleaded guilty to the two-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and cruelty to persons, while the second defendant pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, ASP Iliya Akawu, prayed the court to adjourn the matter until October 21 for further investigation and to provide witnesses to corroborate the defendant’s plea of guilt and commencement of the hearing.

The defence counsel, Mohammed Umar, who did not object to the application for adjournment, prayed the court to grant his clients bail, saying they would produce reliable sureties and would not jump bail if granted.

Earlier, the prosecution opposed the bail application, saying the offence was not ordinarily bailable and that the victims were still in a medical facility due to the severity of the injuries sustained.

“The police and medical team are following up on the treatment and monitoring the health status of the children.

“The first defendant has pleaded guilty already, and the presumption of innocence is no longer on her part. Hence, they may likely commit the same offence if released on bail.

“This is indeed a failure and negligence of the defendants as their action and inaction has shown that they care less of children who are not their biological children,” he said.

The police said Zainab Mohammed of Shelleng LGA of Adamawa reported the matter at the police station on October 3 at about 11:00 a.m.

The prosecutor alleged that the victims of the alleged offence were Mr Abubakar’s children with his ex-wife.

The police alleged that the first defendant tortured the victims.

He told the court that the act was visibly captured on video, as evidenced by Ms Mohammed, which showed Mr Abubakar beating up Hafsat with a cable for urinating and defecating in the room.

The prosecutor further alleged that Mr Abubakar failed to assume his full responsibility and guardianship and condoned the excesses of his wife by neglecting the well-being of his children.

He said the offence contravened sections 60 and 209 (2) of the penal code law of Adamawa 2018.

(NAN)