The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has ordered the Government of Sokoto State to file charges reflecting the gravity of their offence against the killers of Deborah Samuel, who was killed and burnt by her fellow students over a blasphemous message.
This comes after a legal practitioner, identified as Ebun Adegboruwa, slammed the government for charging the suspects, Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunchi, who were arraigned before a court on Monday, May 16, with Criminal Conspiracy and Inciting Public Disturbance.
Reacting to this report, NBA released a statement signed by its President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, to call on the Sokoto State Government to take the case seriously and rethink their prosecution strategy.
“The government should immediately commence the prosecution of all suspects involved in these brutal and arbitrary killings in order to send a strong signal that such acts will no longer be tolerated in Nigeria.
The NBA also believes that the prompt and effective prosecution of the alleged killers will instill confidence in the citizens, promote accountability, and signpost the government’s commitment to the rule of law.
With particular reference to the murder of Miss Deborah Yakubu and related developments in Sokoto, we note that some arrests have been made by the Nigeria Police and that the suspects are now being prosecuted.
We are, however, worried by yet-to-be confirmed reports reaching us that the suspects have been charged with mere breach of public peace in an episode that cut short Deborah’s life in her prime.
The NBA is strongly opposed to a banalization of the situation, and if these reports are true, then we call on the Sokoto State Government to immediately rethink its prosecution strategy and file charges that truly reflect the gravity of the situation”, the statement read in part.
