Court Sentences 40‑Year‑Old To Death

Kebbi State High Court, sitting in Birnin Kebbi (High Court  7), has convicted and sentenced one Bello Musa, 40, of Dingyadi in Sokoto State to death by hanging for culpable homicide and to five years’ imprisonment for cheating.

The accused was  arraigned on 22nd November, 2024 before Justice Hassan Shehu Kuwa on a three‑count charge of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and cheating, punishable under ctions  60(b), 191(b) and 308 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law 2021. The second accused remains at large.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred in November when Bello Musa lodged with the deceased, 31‑year‑old Shamsiyya Usman, in a Birnin Kebbi hotel. It was alleged that he poisoned her with a soft drink, left her body in the room, and fled. The police arrested him after an investigation was launched following discovery of the body.

The lead counsel for the Ministry of Justice, Zainab Muhammad Jabbo, headed the prosecution team. She presented eight witnesses and tendered four exhibits, including the defendant’s statements in Hausa and English recorded at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) office, Police Headquarters, Birnin  Kebbi.

Defence counsel Barrister S.K. Mungadi called the defendant to testify on his own behalf, without additional witnesses.

In its judgment, the court held:

“Having considered all the evidence and exhibits, the first defendant is found guilty of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and cheating. He is hereby convicted and sentenced to death by hanging for the offences of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, and to five years’ imprisonment for cheating.”

The court further ordered that should the second accused be apprehended, he shall be brought before the court to face trial.

The sentence reflects the gravity of the offences under the Kebbi State Penal Code and concludes the matter pending before High Court  7.