SINGAPORE: A woman was charged on Wednesday (Dec 13) with causing the death of her husband at a void deck in Ang Mo Kio after he suffered a knife wound in a scuffle with her.
Baniyah Shap, a 50-year-old Singaporean, told the court that her husband had injured himself. She said she wished to be bailed out to “give my final respects to my husband”.
Baniyah was handed a charge of causing death by rash act not amounting to culpable homicide.
She and her husband, 62-year-old Mohamed Ali Saaban, were allegedly engaged in a scuffle at about 11.50pm on Dec 11, at the void deck of Block 631, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4.
Mr Mohamed Ali suffered a puncture wound from a silver foldable knife which led to his death.
According to a police statement, Baniyah was arrested at the scene. Her husband was taken unconscious to hospital and died the next day.
On Wednesday, Baniyah appeared in court via video link from Changi Prison.
Asked if she understood the proceedings, Baniyah said: “I understand but I was not the one. My husband was the one who injured himself.”
The prosecutor asked for Baniyah to be remanded as the investigating officer needed to take her out for a raid, to recover exhibits and for any scene reconstruction.
He said Baniyah could inform the investigating officer in charge if she had any issues.
“Your honour, I already informed the IO everything. I already gave the IO all of my statements and all of my explanations,” answered Baniyah.
“I’m just asking for bail so I can give my final respects to my husband.”
The judge suggested that Baniyah put in a request if she wished to attend the wake or funeral of her husband.
“I’ve already made my request,” said Baniyah. “But until now they have still not allowed me to leave.”
She was ordered to be remanded for a week and will return to court on Dec 20.
If convicted of causing death by a rash act not amounting to culpable homicide, Baniyah can be jailed for up to five years, fined, or both.