Court refers murder suspect to psychiatric hospital

Joseph Akor in Kano

The Kano High Court has referred a 27 year old woman, Saratu Ya’u who allegedly slaughtered her 5 year old son to a psychiatric hospital, following her arraignment by the police on murder charge.

Penpushing reports that, the prosecutor, Mr Lamido Sorondinki, on Wednesday told the court that accused resident of Sabon Birni Village in Gwarzo Local Government Area of the state, committed the offence on 12 June, 2018

The prosecutor said the accused in an application before the court in reference to Section 280 (1,2,3 and 4) of the Criminal Justice Law 2019 said she  slaughtered her 5-year-old son with a sharp knife like killing a ram, causing his death.

Penpushing further reports that, the prosecutor prayed the court to send the defendant to psychiatric hospital for medical evaluation, adding that,the offence contravened Section 221 of the Penal Code.

The defendant, however, pleaded guilty to the charge, while, the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Karaye, ordered the defendant to be referred to psychiatric hospital for medical examination, and thereafter adjourned the case to October 8, for hearing.