Court gavel
High Court sitting in Kano has sentenced two men, Aliyu Hussaini and Amir Zakariyya, to death by hanging for the murder of Buhari Imam, a lecturer at Northwest University, Kano.
The convicts, Hussaini of Sheka Sabuwar Abuja Quarters and Zakariyya of Unguwar Malam in Kumbotso Local Government Area, were found guilty on three charges: criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide.
While delivering the ruling, Justice Fatima Adamu stated that the prosecution had successfully established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The action of the defendants shows total disregard for human life,” she said.
“Accordingly, I sentence the defendants to five years each for conspiracy, and 10 years each for robbery—without the option of a fine. For the offence of culpable homicide, the convicts are sentenced to death by hanging. May God have mercy on them.”
Prosecution counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that the attack occurred in the early hours of June 11 at Sheka Sabuwar Abuja Quarters. According to him, the duo conspired and armed themselves with knives and machetes before robbing the lecturer of his mobile phone and stabbing him multiple times—in the stomach, thigh, and back—leading to his death.
To back up its case, the prosecution presented three witnesses and submitted medical reports as well as photographs of the deceased as evidence.
The defendants denied the charges but were ultimately convicted. Their lawyer, Haruna Saleh-Zakariyya, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
The offences contravene Sections 97(1), 298(c), and 221(a) of the Penal Code Law of Kano State.
NAN
