Remanded in custody for the murder of an eight-year-old boy, Jepthan Peter Makwin, a corps member serving in Bebeji Local Government Area, was brought before Kano State magistrates’ court at Nomansland on Friday.
The victim, Hassan Sulaiman, a class three pupil at Old Mosque Islamiyah School, Bebeji, passed away in October 2019 following alleged physical assault by Makwin.
During the arraignment on Friday, the defense counsel applied for the release of the accused, before the presiding magistrate, Fatima Adamu.
The prosecuting counsel, Nasiru Fagge, objected to the application.
The magistrate adjourned the matter till February 4, 2020, for the hearing of the bail application, following arguments from both sides.
Meanwhile, Zainab Abubakar Sulaiman, the victim’s mother, accused Makwin of causing her son’s death.
“He is culpable and I will never forgive him,” she expressed her anguish.
Sulaiman Aliyu, the victims’ father, informed reporters that Hassan and his friends used to visit the NYSC Lodge to collect fruits of the Umbrella tree.
“The Corps members love children and freely distribute the fruits to them. After they had given them on Thursday, Hassan went back for more but this particular member got angry. He beat my boy, banged his head to the wall and kicked him severally.”
Mr. Aliyu stated their refusal to seek revenge, as they have faith in Allah and confidence in the government to deliver justice.
Alhassan Muhammad Rabiu, a family friend, who took late Hassan to a hospital in Bebeji, reported the boy’s passing after he was taken by the police.
While the accused was arrested, the case had been transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
Ladan Baba, the Kano state NYSC coordinator, disclaimed Mr. Makwin’s responsibility for Hassan’s death.
Mr. Baba clarified that Mr. Makwin chased the deceased, who came in to pluck fruits from an umbrella Tree within the NYSC Lodge.
“In the process, the boy fell and hit his head on the wall of the entrance of the Lodge. He was immediately rushed to the hospital and was afterwards confirmed dead,” Mr. Baba stated.