An elderly man, Bello Usman, alongside his son and another suspect, has been arraigned before a High Court in Yola, Adamawa State, over the alleged killing of a woman identified as Dudu Usman.

The defendants: Bello Usman, 50; his biological son, Naziru Bello, 20; and Ahmed Chubado, 20, are all from the Digno community, in Daware District of Fufore Local Council. They were arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Benjamin Lawan Manji at the High Court in Yola on a three-count charge of culpable homicide and mischief by fire.

According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly beat Dudu Usman to death with sticks and set her house ablaze following accusations of witchcraft. The deceased was said to be the sister of the first defendant, Bello Usman.

The court was told that on August 26, 2025, the trio allegedly stormed the victim’s residence, accusing her of bewitching the second defendant, Naziru Bello. During the incident, she was reportedly assaulted, and her house was set on fire.

Prosecutors said the victim was rushed to a specialist hospital for medical treatment but later died, as confirmed by the attending medical doctor.

When the charges were read and interpreted to them, all three defendants pleaded not guilty. Counsel to the state, Shuaibu Musa (DLR), applied for an adjournment to enable the prosecution to call its witnesses. The application was not opposed by defence counsel, A U Sangare. Justice Manji subsequently adjourned the case till February 16, 17 and 18, 2026, for the commencement of the hearing. (The Guardian)

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