A Kano State High Court sitting at Court 11 has sentenced two males to dying by hanging for the homicide of a 35-year-old housewife, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children at Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters, Kano, on January 17, 2026.
The convicts, Umar Auwalu, 23, of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters, and Yakubu Daiyebu, 21, of Sabon Gida, Sharada Quarters, have been additionally sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiracy to commit culpable murder and armed theft.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Nasiru Saminu described the killings as one of the horrifying crimes within the historical past of legal justice, saying the victims have been murdered by family who must have protected them.
The choose stated the lady had willingly opened the door for the primary convict when he arrived along with his confederate, unaware of their alleged intention to assault the household.
He stated the convicts exploited the belief reposed in them by the deceased earlier than unleashing the assault that worn out all the household.
Justice Saminu stated the deceased lady was not solely a sufferer however a mom whose life was intertwined with the hopes, welfare and way forward for her youngsters.
He stated, “Seven lives have been lost. Seven human destinies have been terminated. Seven opportunities to experience life with its aspirations and contributions to society have been permanently extinguished.”
The choose additionally expressed sympathy for the surviving members of the family, notably Haruna Bashir, the husband of the deceased and father of the six youngsters, whom he stated had been thrown into anguish, despair and trauma.
He famous that no judicial pronouncement might restore the deceased or adequately compensate the household for the loss.
Justice Saminu, nevertheless, confused that the courtroom’s accountability was to manage justice relatively than vengeance, including that its determination have to be guided by the regulation and proof.
“The court must neither be swayed by emotion nor be indifferent to the gravity of the crime. Its decision must be founded on the law, the evidence and the applicable principles of criminal justice,” he stated.
The choose additionally cited Quran 5:45, which gives for the precept of life for all times, earlier than imposing the dying sentences.
The two convicts have been discovered responsible of culpable murder punishable with dying beneath Section 221 of the Penal Code for the killings of the seven victims.
They have been additionally sentenced to life imprisonment with exhausting labour for conspiracy and armed theft.
Meanwhile, the third defendant, Isyaku Yakubu, 40, was earlier discharged and acquitted, whereas the primary defendant had pleaded for leniency after admitting guilt whereas the second defendant pleaded not responsible.
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