A Kano High Court sitting on Tuesday sentenced a Chinese national, Frank Geng-Quangrong, 47, to death by hanging for stabbing his Nigerian girlfriend, Ummukulsum Sani, 22, to death.
Mr Geng-Quangrong, who lives in Railway Quarters Kano, was convicted on one-count charge of culpable homicide.
Delivering judgment, Justice Sanusi Ado-Ma’aji, held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
He said, “The defendant’s testimony is inconsistent. I hereby find him guilty. I hereby recommend mercy by the Kano State governor on behalf of the convict.”
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel and Attorney-General of Kano State, Haruna Dederi, had informed the court that the convict committed the offence on September 16, 2022 at Janbulo Quarters Kano.
He said on the same date at about 9 p.m the convict stabbed the lady with a knife in her house situated at Janbulo Quarters Kano for undisclosed reason.
“The victim was rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” he stated.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecution presented six witnesses to prove their case against the defendant and four exhibits.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provision of section 221(b) of the Penal Code.
The defence counsel, Muhummad Dan’azumi, presented the defendant to defend himself, one other witness and tendered five exhibits.
Mr Dan’azumi urged the court to recommend the defendant for the prerogative of mercy pursuant to section 313 of ACJL.
In his testimony, Frank said:” I didn’t kill Ummulkhulsum intentionally but stabbed her in self defence after she grabbed my testes.’’
He pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in its judgment.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the judgment, the victim’s mother, Hajiya Fatima Zubairu, expressed satisfaction with the judge’s decision.
(NAN)