Kano High Court Issues Death Sentences in Employer Murder Case

A Kano State High Court has delivered a significant verdict in a homicide case involving the death of 32-year-old Dahiru Musa. According to Channels Television, two men, Adamu Aliyu, 22, and Mubarak Abdulsalam, 20, have been sentenced to death by hanging for their roles in the killing. A third defendant, 19-year-old Sadiq Sunusi, was sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in abetting the crime and attempting to conceal evidence.

Details of the Prosecution’s Case

The legal proceedings, presided over by Justice Fatima Adamu, concluded that the prosecution had successfully established its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The Kano State Solicitor-General, Salisu Muhammad-Tahir, acting as the prosecution counsel, detailed a sequence of events that began on September 29, 2024, at Gaida Yan Kusa Quarters in Kano.

According to the prosecution, Aliyu and Abdulsalam conspired to murder Musa, who was Aliyu’s employer. The court heard that the defendants allegedly poisoned the victim with rat poison before inflicting multiple stab wounds with knives. The following day, September 30, 2024, the situation escalated when Sunusi reportedly assisted Abdulsalam in purchasing petrol. The pair then transported the fuel to an uncompleted building where the victim’s body had been placed, and Abdulsalam proceeded to burn the corpse in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Legal Findings and Sentencing

The court convicted Aliyu and Abdulsalam on two counts of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide. Sunusi was convicted on a single count of abetment, specifically for his role in the disposal of the body and his failure to report the crime to the authorities despite his awareness that the remains were those of a human being.

During the trial, the prosecution presented a variety of evidence to support their claims, including:

• Confessional statements from the defendants.
• Physical evidence, including the knives used in the attack.
• Video evidence documenting aspects of the incident.
• Testimony from five witnesses.

The charges brought against the trio were based on Sections 97, 221, and 86 of the Penal Code. While the defendants entered pleas of not guilty, their defense counsel, Mustafa Idris, sought leniency from the court, requesting that the judge exercise mercy during sentencing.

Judicial Remarks and Next Steps

In her ruling, Justice Adamu condemned the actions of the defendants, characterizing the murder and the subsequent burning of the body as both inhumane and wicked. Following the sentencing, the court informed the convicted individuals that they have a 90-day window to file an appeal if they are dissatisfied with the judgment. As of the time of reporting, no further details regarding the defense’s intent to appeal have been made public.

This case highlights the rigorous application of the Penal Code in Kano State regarding cases of homicide and the concealment of criminal acts. The judicial process remains open to the defendants should they choose to challenge the court’s decision within the stipulated timeframe.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Channels Television