Shari’a court sentences mosque arsonist to death by hanging
A Shari’a court in Kano has sentenced 38-year-old Shafi’u Abubakar to death by hanging and 150 lashes for setting fire to a mosque and killing 23 worshippers.
The incident occurred in Gadan Larabar Abasawa village, Gezawa Local Government Area, on May 15, 2024.
The defendant was convicted on four charges: culpable homicide, attempted murder, causing grievous hurt, and mischief by fire. According to the prosecution, Abubakar entered the mosque around 5:00 a.m. during morning prayers, poured petrol inside, and set it ablaze.
Twenty-three people died, and several others sustained injuries.
In her ruling, Justice Halhalatu Khuza’i-Zakariyya said the court relied on the testimony of two key witnesses: a civilian who saw the defendant fleeing the scene and a police officer who presented Abubakar’s confessional statement. The court also noted burn injuries on the defendant’s hand as supporting evidence.
The judge sentenced Abubakar to death by hanging for murder and imposed 100 strokes of the cane for attempted murder. He was also fined N1,500 for causing grievous harm and given 50 additional lashes for setting the mosque on fire.
Justice Khuza’i-Zakariyya further directed the Kano State Government to seize and sell Abubakar’s tricycle to help repair the damaged mosque.
The convict has 30 days to appeal the ruling.
The Director of Public Prosecution in Kano State, Salisu Tahir, led the case for the state, presenting seven witnesses and several pieces of evidence, including the confession and photographs of the victims.
Abubakar pleaded guilty to all charges. His lawyer, Hasiya Muhammad-Imam, appealed for leniency and requested his transfer to the Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Janguza.