The trial of Maryam Sanda, accused of killing her husband Bilyaminu Bello, has suffered another setback as three senior lawyers who were her defense counsel, have withdrawn from the case. Maryam was arrested in November last year after she allegedly stabbed her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, son of former PDP chairman Haliru Bello, to death at their Abuja home.

She was arraigned in court alongside her mother, Maimuna Aliyu, her brother, Aliyu Sanda and one Sadiya,for the murder of Bilyaminu. The three other co-defendants, were accused of assisting her to conceal the evidence by cleaning the blood of the deceased from the scene of the crime.

Joseph B. Daudu (SAN); Rotimi Ogunesan (SAN); A. T. Kehinde (SAN) had been representing Maryam, Aliyu and Maimuna in the trial while Olusegun O. Jolaawo from the chambers of Messrs Ricky Tarfa & co represents Sadiya.
In a notice of withdrawal of counsel filed before the court said to be in “pursuant to Section 492(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015”, Maryam’s counsel asked the court to “Take notice that Mr. J.B. Daudu SAN hereby withdraws appearance as counsel to Maryam Sanda charged as 1st defendant in this case.” The notice was dated September 18 and signed by Daudu.

In a similar notice, signed by counsel to the second defendant, Rotimi Ogunesan (SAN) dated September 20, the court was informed of the counsel’s withdrawal from the trial.
Although no reasons were stated in the notices for the withdrawal, there are speculations however on issues surrounding legal fees not being paid promptly.

Our reporter further gathered from court papers that the trial scheduled to resume on Thursday may not proceed as planned as the remaining legal team for the defendants (from the Chambers of Ricky Tarfa & co) has written to the Registrar of the trial court to apply for “a vacation of the scheduled date of 4th October, 2018 and for an adjournment.”

The letter, signed by the chambers’ deputy head, Olusegun O. Jolaawo, reads
“The matter stands adjourned to the 4th of October, 2018 for continuation of hearing. However, the 1st defendant, Maryam Sanda was delivered of a baby boy on the 7th of August, 2018 at the Nizamiye Hospital Ltd. Abuja and is still recuperating. She is not yet strong enough to withstand the rigors of trial.
We are in receipt of notices of withdrawal of representation recently filed by the counsels to the 1st and 2nddefendants herein and pursuant to which there has been indication from the said defendants that we are to take over the representation of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants in addition to that of the 4th defendant”, the letter added.

Based on these developments, the court was asked to consider November 7, 8, 13 or 14 as new dates for the continuation of trial.