There was a drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, as no fewer than four children, among the 76 defendants, billed for arraignment over their involvement in the August #EndBadGovernance protest held across the country, slumped during their trial.

Recall the protest, which began on Aug. 1 to demand for good governance, ended on Aug. 10.

The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had, earlier charged 11 of the protesters before Justice Emeka Nwite of a sister court on alleged treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony and inciting mutiny, among others, which are punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

The protesters were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Gombe over the 10-day protest which resulted in violence and killings in parts of the country.

However, when the matter was called on Friday, I-G’s lawyer, Audu Garba, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment of the 76 defendants, who had been in detention.

Shortly after they were called into the dock to take their plea, four of the children slumped in the open court.

The four of them were Usman Fatihu (21 years), Muhammed Yahaya (14 years), Muktar Ishak Alhassan (16 years) and Mustapha Ibrahim (18 years).

They are 68th, 74th, 75th, and76th defendants respectively in the 10-count charge bordering on treason, among other offences.

The trial judge, Obiora Egwuatu, abruptly stood down the trial and rose.

Justice Egwuatu came back after some minutes later to continue with the trial

Two brothers have been nabbed for allegedly killing their female neighbour who they accused of witchcraft.

The incident occurred in Kashin Dila Fulani village, Malam-Madori Local Government Area of Jigawa State, leaving residents shocked and saddened.

According to police reports, the brothers conspired and attacked the victim, inflicting fatal injuries with sticks and knives, leading to the untimely and unfortunate death of the victim.

Arewa PUNCH gathered that the two biological brothers were said to have been suspecting and accusing one Hauwa Yusai (now late) who happens to be the next house neighbour to the elder brother of the duo, of being a witch and practising the same.

Confirming the incident to our reporter via a telephone interview, the Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Police Command, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam informed our correspondent that the suspects are in custody and will face prosecution any moment from now.

DSP Lawan stated that the motive behind the killing is believed to be rooted in superstition and misinformation.

He narrated that “on October 16, 2024, at 1:30 a.m., the Malam-Madori Division received a distress call regarding an assault on Hauwa Yusai, 55, of Kashin Dila Fulani settlement.

“The victim was allegedly attacked by two brothers – Husaini Ali, 45, and Ya’u Ali, 20, who accused her of witchcraft.”

According to him, the suspects brutally beat Hauwa Yusai with sticks and stabbed her with a knife, inflicting severe injuries.

The spokesperson of the Police in the state explained that, upon receipt of the distress call, a team of Police officers swiftly responded to the scene, rushing Yusai to the Hadejia General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by a medical doctor on call.

He added that the suspects were arrested, taken into custody, and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Dutse for a discreet investigation.

However, DSP Lawan revealed that, during interrogation, the suspects have voluntarily confessed to the crime, thus assured that the suspects will face the full extent of the law in court.

He emphasised the commitment of the state command to equity and justice in this tragic case while further assuring that the command will thoroughly investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.

“The police are working to prevent similar incidents in the state.”

In the same vain, the Jigawa State Police Command has urged citizens to report suspicious activities, just as it cautioned against vigilantism.

The incident has sparked more concerns about witchcraft-related violence in the state among others and emphasises the need for awareness, even as the police boss reiterated the call on citizens to avoid taking laws into the hands.

A female doctor, Ganiyat Popoola, who was kidnapped on December 27, 2023, has regained her freedom after 10 months in captivity.

A registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, Popoola, was abducted along with her husband and nephew.

Her husband was released in March, while Popoola and her nephew remained in captivity.

Popoola’s kidnapping had sparked widespread outrage, particularly among the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which went on strike in August to press for their colleague’s release.

The President, Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Tope Osundara in a statement, confirmed the release of Popoola and her nephew .