Kano Court Sentences 21-Year-Old to Death by Hanging for Murder of Shop Owner

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a 21-year-old man, Umar Idris, to death by hanging for the murder of Sabiu Umar, a 28-year-old shop owner.

Idris, a resident of Farawa Quarters in Kumbotso Local Government Area, was convicted of culpable homicide after the prosecution successfully established that he fatally stabbed the victim.

Prosecution counsel Lamido Abba-Sorondinki told the court that the incident occurred at Tsamiya Mariri Quarters in Kano on September 2, 2021. According to the prosecution, Idris broke into the victim's shop at around 10:30 p.m. and stole bridal clothes intended for his bride. Sabiu, who both lived and worked at the shop, was present at the time.

The prosecution alleged that upon discovering the break-in, Sabiu raised an alarm, triggering a confrontation between the two men. During the struggle, Idris allegedly attacked him with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds to his neck, shoulder, and other parts of his body. The injuries proved fatal.

Three witnesses were called by the prosecution, who also tendered Idris's confessional statement as evidence. Idris, however, denied committing the crime. His defence counsel, Muftau Bello, called two witnesses and appealed to the court for leniency.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Sunusi Ado-Ma'aji held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt and handed down the maximum sentence.

"I hereby sentence Idris to death by hanging for stabbing the victim on his neck, shoulder and other parts of his body, which resulted in his death. May the Lord have mercy on his soul," the judge ruled.