One Muhammad Bello, 45, a teenage girl and three others have appeared before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Katsina State for allegedly killing a newborn baby born out of wedlock and fed a dog with the corpse.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Altine Ragiji, told the court that the incident occurred at Saika village in Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, a traditional ruler in the town reported to the police that a teenage girl (names withheld, 15), gave birth to a child out of wedlock.

He explained that upon investigations, Muhammad Bello, 45; Musa Bello, 35; Umar Bello, 27, and the girl’s mother, Faiza Umar, 30, were arrested in connection with the case.

Ragiji revealed that the accused persons confessed to have killed the baby and fed a dog with the assistance of the girl’s mother.

He said the teenage mother further told the police that she was lured by one Musa Garba, 30, to his farm and forcefully had a sexual intercourse with her about 10 months ago.

“Since then, I missed my menstruation and later delivered,’’ the girl told the police during investigations.

The accused persons were charged for “an act done with intent to prevent child being alive after birth’’ contrary to sections 85, 235 and 387 of the Penal Code.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Nura El-Ladan, said that the case was brought to the court for cognisance.

El-Ladan directed the police to conduct further investigations on the matter.

He also ordered for the remand of the accused persons in prison custody.

The court adjourned the case to Aug. 8 for further mention. (NAN)