Deborah was lynched to death, allegedly by the suspects, who are her co-students.
She was accused of engaging in blasphemy and was stoned and flogged to death by her colleagues who also set fire to her lifeless body.
In the First Information Report (FIR), Prosecuting Police Officer, Insp. Khalil Musa told the court that the suspects were accused of participating in a disturbance act that led to the death of Deborah on May 12.
He said investigation was in progress and Deborah’s body was still in a morgue at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.
When the charges were read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty, and the lead Defense Counsel, Prof. Mansur Ibrahim, applied for bail on their behalf on liberal terms, citing constitutional provisions and sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.
The trial Judge (name and court location withheld for security reasons) reserved the ruling on the bail application and ordered the accused to be remanded in correctional custody.