Kano Court Sentences Man To Death For Killing His Boss

A Kano State High Court yesterday sentenced one Abdulaziz Adamu to death by hanging for kidnapping and killing his employer, Alhaji Ali Alhassan, after collecting a N15 million ransom from the victim’s family.

Adamu, a resident of Dawakin Kudu local government area, was found guilty on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping and culpable homicide. His co-defendant, Abdullahi Alhassan of Danladi Nasidi Quarters, was discharged and acquitted.

Prosecution counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that the convict committed the offence on June 16, 2024, when he conspired with the second defendant to abduct the victim at Dawakin Kudu.

He said the defendants demanded and received N15 million ransom from the victim’s family before killing him.

“They hit the victim on the head and chest with heavy sticks and later buried the corpse at Adamu’s residence in Dawakin Kudu,” the prosecutor told the court.

The prosecution presented two witnesses and the confessional statement of the first defendant. Both defendants, however, denied the charges, while Adamu pleaded for leniency.

Abba-Sorondinki stated that the offences contravened Sections 97, 273, and 221(a) of the Penal Code Laws of Kano State.

Delivering judgement, Justice Aisha Mahmoud held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against Adamu.

“I hereby sentence Adamu to death by hanging for hitting the victim on his head and chest, which resulted in his death. May the Lord have mercy on his soul,” she ruled.

However, the judge held that the prosecution failed to establish any wrongdoing against the second defendant, noting that the evidence tendered did not link him to the crime.

“The section cited for kidnapping—Section 273—applies only to minors, while the victim was an adult. The charge ought to have been amended,” she said, before discharging and acquitting Abdullahi.