Court sentences woman to death for aiding bandits

A Federal High Court in Katsina has sentenced a woman, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, to death by hanging after finding her guilty of terrorism-related offences.

Mukhtar was convicted on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit terrorism and aiding and abetting terrorist activities.

She was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State while allegedly attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to a suspected bandit leader, identified as Ado, believed to be operating from the Dunburum Forest in Zamfara State.

Following her arrest, the DSS arraigned her before the court in Suit No. KTH/65C/2023.

Delivering judgment, Justice A.B. Bawale held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through evidence, exhibits and witness testimonies presented during the trial.

The court subsequently found Mukhtar guilty on both counts and sentenced her to death by hanging in line with the provisions of the Katsina State Penal Code Law, 2021.