Kano State government has transferred the case involving the alleged murder of a 35-year-old housewife, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children at Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters to the High Court for trial.
Three suspects: Umar Auwalu, 23, of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters; Isyaku Yakubu, 40, of Sagagi Quarters; and Yakubu Abdulaziz, 21, of Sabon Gida, Sharada Quarters, were earlier arraigned before Magistrate Court No. 2, Nomansland, on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal trespass, robbery, culpable homicide, rape, mischief by fire, possession of dangerous weapons and causing injuries.
The offences are said to contravene Sections 97, 221, 283, 298, 319, 336 and 348 of the Penal Code.
Two other persons, Umar Ali and Samaila Garba, were also mentioned in connection with related case involving the suspects.
At the resumed sitting yesterday, the Kano State solicitor-general, Salisu Tahir, who led the prosecution, informed the court that fresh charges had been filed before High Court No. 11 following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Tahir said the prosecution had reviewed the case diary and found sufficient evidence to prosecute the suspects.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, the solicitor-general said the matter had been reassigned to High Court No. 11 presided over by Justice Nasiru Saminu.
“We have appeared with the Director of Public Prosecutions and mentioned the three cases before the court. After reviewing the case diary, we found that the suspects have a case to answer on all the charges except Umar Ali, who has no case to answer in the homicide involving the mother and her six children,” he said.
He added that the High Court had fixed April 1, 2026, for the suspects to take their plea.
Tahir further disclosed that the prosecution would return to the Magistrate Court on April 8, 2026, to formally notify the court that the matter had been taken before the High Court and to terminate the First Information Report (FIR) pending before it
Counsel to the defendants, A.S. Tunkuye, told the court that the defence had no objection to the transfer of the case.
Chief Magistrate Auwal Yusuf-Suleiman granted the request and ordered that the suspects be remanded in a correctional facility pending their arraignment at the High Court.
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