By Sabiu Abdullahi
A Kano State High Court has handed down a death sentence to a 21-year-old man, Umar Idris, for the killing of a shop owner, Sabiu Umar.
The court found Idris, who lives in Farawa Quarters in Kumbotso Local Government Area, guilty of culpable homicide after proceedings showed that he stabbed the 28-year-old victim to death.
During the trial, prosecution counsel Lamido Abba-Sorondinki told the court that the incident took place on September 2, 2021, at Tsamiya Mariri Quarters in Kano. He said the defendant entered the victim’s shop at about 10:30 p.m. without permission. The shop also served as the victim’s residence. The prosecutor added that Idris took wedding garments meant for the deceased’s bride.
The prosecution explained that the victim raised an alarm after he discovered the act. This led to a confrontation between both men. In the course of the struggle, Idris allegedly attacked him with a knife and inflicted injuries on his neck, shoulder and other parts of his body. The injuries later caused his death.
The prosecution called three witnesses and presented a confessional statement as part of its evidence. Idris, however, denied the allegation.
In his defence, counsel to the accused, Muftau Bello, presented two witnesses and urged the court to show leniency.
While delivering judgment, Justice Sunusi Ado-Ma’aji ruled that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“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.
