Youth Groups Demand Review Of Victor Solomon’s Death Sentence

A coalition of youth groups across Nigeria has called for an independent review of the death sentence handed to Victor Solomon, also known as Zidane, over his alleged involvement in violent communal clashes in Southern Kaduna.

The coalition, made up of the Middle Belt Youth Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Afenifere Youth, and PANDEF Youth, made the demand during a press conference in Kafanchan, where they also appealed to Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, to grant a stay of execution pending a fresh review of the case.

Solomon, an indigene of the Adara community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was sentenced to death by hanging by a Kaduna State High Court on January 6, 2026, over offences linked to communal violence in the area.

Addressing journalists, Kaduna State chairman of the Middle Belt Youth Forum, Samuel Wuya, said the coalition was concerned about the circumstances surrounding the trial and the broader insecurity affecting communities in Southern Kaduna.

“We are calling for an independent review of the judgment and a stay of execution to allow for broader scrutiny of the matter in the interest of justice and peace,” Wuya said.

The coalition also urged the judiciary to ensure fairness in the appellate process, while calling on the Federal Government, the National Human Rights Commission, and international human rights organisations to closely monitor the case.

The case has continued to draw public attention, especially after Solomon’s earlier discharge and acquittal in another criminal matter in 2024 involving allegations of criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide.

However, the Kaduna State Government maintained that the two cases were separate and unrelated.

The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, James Kanyip, said the earlier case, marked KDH/KAD/73C/2020, ended in Solomon’s acquittal on May 21, 2024, while the second case, KDH/KAD/78C/2020, involved charges of criminal conspiracy, grievous harm without provocation, and culpable homicide punishable by death.

“There is no contradiction in the court outcomes being referenced online. Victor Solomon was tried in two completely different cases,” Kanyip said.

He added that the conviction followed due judicial process, including a full trial and proper evaluation of evidence presented before the court.

According to him, Solomon still has the constitutional right to appeal the judgment up to the Supreme Court.

Solomon was first arrested in 2018 following violent clashes between Adara and Fulani communities in Kajuru during a wave of deadly attacks and reprisals across parts of Southern Kaduna.