Couple faces court for alleged child cruelty in Yola

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Jimeta, Yola, ordered the remand of a couple, Abubakar Yuguda and Fatima Abubakar, on Tuesday for allegedly maltreating two minors.

Chief Magistrate Musa Adamu directed that both defendants, residents of Makama B Ward in Yola Town, be held at a correctional facility until October 21.

The magistrate stated that the remand was necessary to facilitate further investigation and gather witnesses to support the first defendant’s guilty plea while preparing for the hearing of the second defendant’s case.

According to reports from NAN, Abubakar, the first defendant, pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal conspiracy and cruelty to persons, whereas Yuguda, the second defendant, pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutor ASP Iliya Akawu requested the court to adjourn the case until October 21 to allow for additional investigations and to present witnesses corroborating the defendants’ plea.

Defense Counsel Mohammed Umar did not object to the adjournment request but sought bail for his clients, assuring the court they would provide reliable sureties and would not abscond if released.

Earlier, the prosecution opposed the bail request, arguing that the offense was not typically bailable and that the victims remained hospitalized due to severe injuries.

“The police and medical team are monitoring the treatment and health status of the children. The first defendant has already pleaded guilty, undermining her presumption of innocence; thus, there is a risk they may commit similar offenses if granted bail,” the prosecutor stated.

While acknowledging that bail is a constitutional right, the magistrate emphasized that it ultimately rests at the court’s discretion and ordered the defendants to be remanded until the next hearing on October 21.

The case was reported to the police by Hajiya Zainab Mohammed of Shelleng LGA in Adamawa on October 3 at approximately 11:00 a.m.

The prosecutor alleged that the victims are Yuguda’s children from a previous marriage, claiming they were subjected to torture by the first defendant.

Evidence presented in court included a video recorded by Mohammed, showing Abubakar beating Hafsat, one of the minors, with a cable for urinating and defecating in the room.

Akawu further alleged that Yuguda neglected his parental responsibilities, enabling his wife’s abusive behavior and failing to ensure the well-being of his children.

The prosecutor stated that the actions of the defendants violated sections 60 and 209 (2) of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa 2018.