Kano Court Sentences Man to Death by Hanging Over Mosque Fire That Killed 23 Worshippers

A tragic case that shocked Kano State has reached its legal conclusion, as an Upper Sharia Court in Kano has sentenced a man, Shafiu Abubakar, to death by hanging for setting fire to a mosque during morning prayers—an attack that claimed 23 lives and left several others severely injured.

The horrifying incident occurred on May 15, 2024, in Gadan Larabar Abasawa, located in the Gezawa Local Government Area. According to the prosecution, 11 victims died at the scene, while 12 others later passed away from injuries sustained in the blaze.

Abubakar faced four serious charges: culpable homicide, attempted homicide, causing grievous hurt, and mischief by fire—all in violation of Sections 143, 148, and 370 of the Kano State Shari’a Penal Code of 2000.

Justice Halhatu Huza’i Zakariyya, who presided over the case, ruled that the evidence presented—ranging from the defendant’s confessional statement and eyewitness accounts to physical evidence of burns on his hand—established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

In her judgment, the judge condemned the act as “a deliberate and inhumane assault on a place of worship,” emphasizing that such cruelty has no place in society.

Beyond the death sentence, the court imposed an additional punishment of 150 lashes—100 for mischief by fire and 50 for causing grievous harm. Abubakar was also fined N1,500, and the court ordered the sale of his tricycle, with proceeds to be used for rebuilding the damaged mosque.

During the trial, seven witnesses, including the village head, Abdulaziz Yahya, and police officer ASP Abdullahi Sajoh Adamawa, testified against the convict.

Following the incident, the Kano State Government approved N151.9 million for the reconstruction of the mosque and an adjoining Islamiyya school. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf visited the victims at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital and vowed justice, describing the incident as a tragic outcome of a personal dispute, not an act of terrorism.

“This tragedy must never repeat itself,” the governor declared. “We are committed to restoring peace and supporting the affected community.”

Source News
Punch

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