4th October, 2022
By Ramatu Garba
The trial of Geng Quangrong, a 47 year-old Chinese national charged with alleged murder of his Nigerian girlfriend, Ummukulsum Sani could not go on in Kano on Tuesday as the defendant claim he is not very verse in the English language.
Quangrong’s lawyer, Muhammad Dan’azumi, had at the re-arraignment of the defendant on a one charge of culpable homicide, contrary to section 221 of Penal Code urged the court to provide an interpreter for his client.
He relied on Section 36(6)(a)(b)(c) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“My Lord the defendant is not a Nigerian. The use of English in the court as a language may not be understood by my client and he may not be understand the charge he is standing trial for.
“The defendant is entitled for an interpreter from English to Chinese language, he is exploring his Constitutional rights,” he said.
The Chinese was also asked if he understands English language and he said no.
The Prosecution Counsel, Kano State Attorney General, Mr Musa Abdullahi-Lawan told the court that he had directed the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to write a letter to the Chinese Embassy and Chinese Community in Kano requesting for an interpreter on behalf of the defendant.
But he said the defendant spoke good English at the last adjourned date of Sept. 29.
“When we get an interpreter we will finish the case in a very short time” Abdullahi-Lawan said.
Consequently, Justice Sanusi Ado-Ma’aji, ordered the Kano State Government to write to the Chinese Embassy to provide an interpreter for the defendant.
He ordered the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Center and adjourned the matter until Oct.27, for arraignment.
Ummukulsum was allegedly stabbed to death by Geng in her Kabuga quarters in Kano city for unconfirmed reasons.
Geng was first charged before a Senior Magistrate’s court for similar charge.
But the state counsel raised an objection for further prosecution, insisting that the lower court lack jurisdiction to hear such a criminal suit. (NAN)