Court orders psychiatric evaluation for man confined by father, step-mother for 15 years in Kano

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kano on Thursday ordered that a 35-year-old man, Ibrahim Lawan, whose father and step-mother confined for 15 years, be taken for psychiatric evaluation.

The police charged Aliyu, 60, the victims father and his wife, Fatima Suleiman, 25, who reside in Sheka Quarters Kano, with two counts of criminal conspiracy and wrongful confinement.

Chief Magistrate, Muhammad Idris, who gave the order, lashed out at the victim’s father for not taking him to the hospital, when he noticed that he was not mentally okay.

”You, being father of the victim should have taken him to the hospital earlier instead of keeping him at home.

“Let the victim be taken to the psychiatric hospital. The court wants to see evidence that he has been admitted for evaluation,” he held.

Idris adjourned the matter until Sept. 11, for continuation of hearing.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, ASP Badamasi Gawuna told the court that based on information received on Aug .16, the defendants committed the offence about 15 years ago at Sheka Quarters, Kano.

He alleged that the defendants conspired and confined their son, Lawan, for 15 years in a room situated at Sheka Quarters without proper care.

“During the course of investigation, the defendants confessed to wrongfully confining the victim for only seven years because he was suffering from mental illness”

The defendants, however, denied committing the offence.

Gawuna said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 97 and 257(b) of the Penal Code.

The defence Counsel, Mr Alhassan Adamu, told the court that the victim was never confined by the defendants.

“The victim is mentally unstable, I hereby tender a medical certificate from psychiatric hospital to show that he is mentally ill.”

Supreme reports that the court had earlier granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two reliable sureties.