A Kano State High Court has sentenced a 21-year-old man, Umar Idris, to death by hanging for the murder of a shop owner, Sabiu Umar, in a late-night attack.
Delivering judgment, Justice Sunusi Ado-Ma’aji ruled that the prosecution successfully established the charge of culpable homicide against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
The court heard that the incident occurred on September 2, 2021, at Tsamiya Mariri Quarters in Kano, where the victim lived and operated his shop.
Prosecuting counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that Idris, who resides in Farawa Quarters in Kumbotso Local Government Area, broke into the shop around 10:30 p.m. and carted away wedding garments meant for the deceased’s bride.
According to the prosecution, the victim raised the alarm upon discovering the intrusion, leading to a confrontation between both men.
During the ensuing struggle, Idris allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times in the neck, shoulder and other parts of the body, injuries that proved fatal.
The prosecution called three witnesses and tendered a confessional statement said to have been made by the defendant as evidence before the court.
However, the defendant denied involvement in the crime. His counsel, Muftau Bello, presented two witnesses and urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
In his ruling, Justice Ado-Ma’aji held that the evidence before the court was credible and sufficient to convict the defendant.
“I hereby sentence Umar Idris to death by hanging for causing the death of Sabiu Umar through multiple stab wounds,” the judge declared, adding a brief prayer for mercy on the convict’s soul.