Abdulmalik Tanko, the prime suspect in the murder of five-year-old Kano school student Hanifa Abubakar, and one of his alleged accomplices, Hashimu Isyaku, have pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy but denied four other charges at his murder trial.
However, the other suspect, Fatima Jibrin, denied all the charges that were read to her on Monday.
The suspects were indicted on Monday at the No. 6 State High Court before the trial judge, Usman Na-Abba.
They were charged with the crimes of conspiracy to commit a crime, kidnapping, concealment/confinement of a kidnapped person and manslaughter, crimes contrary to articles 97, 274, 277 and 221 of the Penal Code.
The judge, Mr. Na’abba, set March 2-3 for the start of the hearing and ordered that the accused be transferred to a correctional facility.
Hanifa was allegedly kidnapped and killed by Mr. Tanko, who was her teacher, and the other suspects.
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His remains were discovered on the premises of a school owned by Mr. Tanko after a ransom was paid for his release.
The incident sparked outrage in Nigeria, drawing condemnations of President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha.