The trial of two suspects accused of kidnapping of a four-year-old boy in Kano suffers a setback on Wednesday with absence of one of the defense counsel.
Justice Nura Sagir of the State High Court averred that the right of defense counsel to cross-examine witness in a criminal case must not be waived.
The four-year-old boy, Faruk Aminu, was abducted sometimes in April 2018. He was dumped in an abandoned well in Bichi town and two million Naira was placed on his head.
Two suspects, Usman Labarin and Ibrahim Khalil, are facing trial over the abduction.
At the resumed hearing of the trial, counsel for the prosecution, Ahmad Wada, informed the court that he brought two police officers from the anti-kidnap unit and one Jamilu Lawal who rescued the boy from the well to give evidence.
However, counsel for the first accused person, Balarabe Kura, told the court that counsel for the second accused person, Suleiman, is not in court asking for short adjournment.
The prosecution counsel objected to the request on the grounds that the court had ordered for speedy trial of the case.
Justice Sagir, who is also the State Chief Judge, ruled that the right of the defense to cross-examine the witnesses is critical to the cause of Justice and therefore adjourned the matter to January 27, 2020.
