Court sentences man to death by hanging for killing 23 worshippers in Kano mosque fire

The court also ordered that Abubakar receive 150 strokes of cane for the same offense.

The incident occurred on May 15, 2024, at Gadan Larabar Abasawa Village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano.

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Abubakar was charged with culpable homicide, attempted murder, causing grievous hurt, and mischief by fire.

The offences contravene Sections 143, 148, and 370 of the Shari’a Legal Code of Kano State, 2000.

According to the prosecution, about 11 victims died instantly at the scene of the attack, while 12 others later succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.

The presiding Judge, Justice Halhatu Huza’i Zakariyya, on Monday, ruled that the evidence presented before the court proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court admitted the defendant’s confessional statement and cited eyewitness testimonies, as well as circumstantial evidence, including burns found on his hand, as compelling proof of guilt.

“This court finds the defendant guilty of the heinous crimes committed on that tragic day. The deliberate act of setting a place of worship ablaze during prayers is a cruel and calculated attack on humanity,” the judge said.

In addition to the death sentence, the court ordered that the convict receive 150 strokes of the cane—100 for the offence of mischief by fire and another 50 for causing grievous harm, as well as a fine of N1,500.

The court further ordered that his tricycle be sold and the proceeds used toward the reconstruction of the mosque.

It was gathered that the prosecution presented seven witnesses during the trial, including Abdulaziz Yahya, the Village Head of Gadan, and ASP Abdullahi Sajoh Adamawa, a police officer attached to the Gezawa Divisional Police Headquarters.

The state government approved N151.9 million for the rebuilding of the burnt mosque and a nearby Islamiyya school.

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who visited the wounded at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, strongly condemned the attack and assured the public that justice would be served.

“This is a deeply tragic event rooted in a personal dispute, not terrorism or politics. The government will ensure the community is supported, and such an atrocity will never occur,” the governor said.

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