Two convicted, sentenced to death for killing lecturer in Kano

A Kano High Court has sentenced two men, Aliyu Hussaini and Amir Zakariyya, to death by hanging for killing Buhari Imam, a lecturer at Northwest University, Kano.

Justice Fatima Adamu delivered the judgment on Monday after finding the defendants guilty on three counts; conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide.

“The action of the defendants shows total disregard for human life,” the judge said. 

“I hereby sentence the defendants to five years’ imprisonment each for conspiracy, 10 years’ imprisonment each for robbery without an option of fine. The convicts are hereby sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide. May God have mercy on them,” she declared.

According to the Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, the crime happened on June 11 at Sheka Sabuwar Abuja Quarters in Kano. 

The convicts, he said, armed themselves with long knives and machetes and attacked the lecturer in his home around 3:30 a.m.

“In the process, the defendants robbed the victim of his mobile phone and caused his death by stabbing him in the stomach, thigh, and back,” the prosecutor told the court.

The prosecution presented three witnesses and submitted medical reports and photographs of the deceased as evidence.

Both convicts denied committing the offence, while their lawyer, Mr. Haruna Saleh-Zakariyya, pleaded for leniency.

The offences were found to have violated Sections 97(1), 298(c), and 221(a) of the Penal Code Laws of Kano State.