A Kano State High Court has sentenced two men, Aliyu Hussaini and Amir Zakariyya, to death by hanging for the murder of Buhari Imam, a lecturer with Northwest University, Kano.
The convicts — Hussaini of Sheka Sabuwar Abuja Quarters and Zakariyya of Unguwar Malam Quarters, Kumbotso local government area — were found guilty on a three-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide.
Delivering judgment, Justice Fatima Adamu held that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt, describing the defendants’ actions as showing total disregard for human life.
“I hereby sentence the defendants to five years’ imprisonment each for conspiracy, 10 years each for robbery without an option of fine and death by hanging for culpable homicide. May God have mercy on them,” Justice Adamu pronounced.
According to the prosecution counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, the crime occurred on June 11 at Sheka Sabuwar Abuja Quarters in Kano.
He told the court that the convicts conspired, armed themselves with dangerous weapons, including long knives and machetes and attacked the victim at about 3:30 am, robbing him of his mobile phone and stabbing him multiple times in the stomach, thigh and back.
The prosecution called three witnesses and tendered medical reports and photographs of the deceased as exhibits.
The defendants were found guilty of violating Sections 97(1), 298(c) and 221(a) of the Penal Code Laws of Kano State.
The defence counsel, Haruna Saleh-Zakariyya, who represented the convicts, pleaded for leniency before sentencing.
