By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria-June 22, 2026 (Series News Online) -The High Court of Justice, Kebbi State, Birnin Kebbi Judicial Division, on Monday adjourned to July 13, 2026, the trial of female Nursing Officer Hannatu James, charged with causing the death of two minors at Martha Bamaiyi General Hospital, Zuru, after the defendant’s lead counsel was absent due to illness.
The defendant, Hannatu James, is standing trial on a one - count charge of “Death Caused in the Act of Committing an Offence” contrary to Section 196 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021. She was previously arraigned before Honourable Justice Nusirat Ibrahim Umar of High Court No. 2, sitting in Birnin Kebbi.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge at her arraignment. Following he plea, the court fixed June 22, 2026, for the commencement of full trial, during which the prosecution was to open its case and begin calling witnesses.
The prosecution alleged that on March 18, 2026, at about 16:00 hours, the defendant negligently administered quinine injection intravenously, instead of through infusion, to Zulaihat Sale, aged 7 years, and Mufida Sale, aged 3 years, while they were on admission at Martha Bamaiyi General Hospital, Zuru.
“The defendant allegedly administered quinine injection directly into the veins of the said minors, contrary to standard medical procedure, which resulted in them becoming unconscious and dying on the spot,” the charge sheet read.
When the matter was called for hearing on Monday, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Justice, Kebbi State, Barrister Aishatu Abbas, announced appearance for the prosecution, leading a team that included Barrister Hadiza Muhammad Tukur, Director of Civil Litigation, and Barrister Hauwa Usman Usara, Director of Legal Drafting.
The lead counsel for the defendant, Barrister Ebenezer C. Ogolina, was absent. A counsel from his chambers announced appearance and informed the court that his principal was indisposed due to illness and applied for an adjournment.
The Solicitor General, Barrister Aishatu Abbas, emphasized that the defendant’s counsel must ensure adequate preparation ahead of the next date to avoid further delay.
“The defendant’s counsel should ensure that on the adjourned date, they come fully prepared to proceed with the matter,” Barrister Abbas stated.
She further stressed that since the defendant’s chamber had other counsel or the counsel who appeared today present in court, they could take over the conduct of the case, as she was personally prosecuting the matter.
“Since they have other counsel or the counsel who appeared today, he can take over the case. I am prosecuting this case by myself, and we are ready to proceed,” she said.
Barrister Abbas also expressed concern over the inconvenience caused to prosecution witnesses who traveled from Zuru to Birnin Kebbi to give evidence.
“I feel for our witnesses who came all the way from Zuru to give their testimonies, but the matter could not go on. We must also extend sympathy to the defendant’s lead counsel, Barrister Ebenezer C. Ogolina, for his illness and inability to attend court,” she stated.
Justice Nusirat Ibrahim Umar, after considering the application, directed the counsel holding the brief of the defendant’s lead counsel to ensure that the case file was studied and that counsel was fully briefed to proceed on the adjourned date if the principal remained unable to attend.
“The court informed the counsel appearing for his principal that he should ensure that, on the adjourned date, if his principal is unable to attend, he or any other counsel from their chamber should be assigned to proceed with the matter after studying the file before the adjournment date,” the court ruled.
Thereafter, Justice Nusirat Ibrahim Umar adjourned the matter to July 13, 2026, for hearing.
The court further directed the registry to convey its apology to the witnesses who had traveled from Zuru, noting that the adjournment was necessitated solely by the medical condition of the defendant’s lead counsel and not by any fault of the prosecution.
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Crime