A Kano State High Court has sentenced two men, Adamu Aliyu, 22, and Mubarak Abdulsalam, 20, to death by hanging for the killing of their employer, Dahiru Musa, 32. The court found them guilty of two counts of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide. The defendants were convicted for their roles in the murder, which occurred on September 29, 2024, at Gaida Yan Kusa Quarters in Kano.
According to the prosecution counsel, Salisu Muhammad-Tahir, Aliyu and Abdulsalam conspired to kill Musa by poisoning him with rat poison before stabbing him several times with knives. The prosecution presented five witnesses and several exhibits, including knives, confessional statements, and a video, to establish its case against the defendants. The evidence presented demonstrated that the defendants' actions were premeditated and deliberate.
A third defendant, Sadiq Sunusi, 19, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for abetting the crime and burning the deceased's corpse. Sunusi escorted Abdulsalam to Gaida Quarters, where they bought petrol before proceeding to an uncompleted building to burn the corpse. Sunusi knew it was a human body but failed to report the incident to the authorities.
Delivering the judgment on Monday, Justice Fatima Adamu held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The judge described the defendants' actions, particularly the killing and subsequent burning of the deceased's body to conceal evidence, as inhumane and wicked. The judge's comments reflected the severity of the crime and the need for justice.
The defendants' counsel, Mustafa Idris, presented them as witnesses and pleaded for leniency, urging the court to temper justice with mercy. However, the court rejected this plea, finding that the defendants' actions warranted the harshest punishment. The defense's argument for leniency was considered but ultimately rejected.
The offences committed by the defendants contravene Sections 97, 221, and 86 of the Penal Code. The convicts have been given 90 days to appeal the judgment if they are dissatisfied with the decision. This allows them an opportunity to seek a review of the court's decision.
The case highlights the severity of violent crimes in Kano and the commitment of the justice system to holding perpetrators accountable. The sentences handed down to Aliyu, Abdulsalam, and Sunusi reflect the court's determination to combat such crimes and ensure justice for victims and their families.
Key points
- Two men sentenced to death for poisoning and stabbing their employer.
- A third defendant received a seven-year sentence for abetting the crime and burning the corpse.
- The convicts have 90 days to appeal the judgment.
