The trial of Shafiu Abubakar, the alleged mastermind behind the Kano mosque arson that resulted in the deaths of 19 worshippers, was on Thursday adjourned to July 18 and 19, 2024.
The delay was due to the police’s failure to update the case diary with additional names of victims who died from the incident.
LEADERSHIP reports that the 38-year-old Abubakar, a resident of Gadan Village in Gezawa local government area, is on trial at the Kano Upper Shari’a Court sitting at Rijiyar Zaki.
Initially, Abubakar was accused of setting a mosque on fire, causing the death of 14 individuals and injuring several others.
However, the prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Kano State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Salisu Tahir, informed the court that the death toll had risen from 14 to 19 consequently requested additional time to update the charge sheet to reflect the new number of victims and to present witnesses.
“We seek another date to enable us to file a new charge to add the exact number of victims and present our witnesses before the court,” Tahir stated.
According to the prosecution, Abubakar allegedly used petrol to ignite the fire at the mosque in Gadan village during dawn prayers on May 15, around 5:15 a.m.
The ensuing fire caused severe injuries to many, who were subsequently rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano where the affected persons died while receiving treatment.
The defendant has pleaded guilty to three charges bordering on mischief by fire, causing grievous hurt, and culpable homicide, which are violations under Sections 336, 247, and 221 of the Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law.
The Defense counsel, Barrister Asiya Muhammad Imam from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, requested the prosecution to provide the updated charges. Subsequently, the presiding Judge, Malam Halhalatul Huza’i Zakariyya adjourned the case to July 18 and 19 for further hearing.
