Kano court sentences man to death for killing friend

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a 37-year-old man, Tahir Tanimu, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of fatally stabbing his friend, Shamsu Yakubu, during a politically motivated attack.

Justice Aisha Mahmoud delivered the judgment on Monday, ruling that the prosecution had proved the charge of culpable homicide beyond reasonable doubt.

The court also convicted Martins Joseph on charges of criminal conspiracy, abetment and culpable homicide. However, because he was 15 years old when the offence was committed, the judge ordered that his fate be left to the discretion of the Kano State Governor in line with the law governing juvenile offenders.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on March 1, 2019, in Unguwa Uku Quarters, Kano.

Prosecuting counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that one Aminu Malan, who remains at large, allegedly incited Tanimu, Joseph and seven other suspects still on the run to attack the deceased at his residence following a disagreement over politics.

During the attack, Tanimu allegedly stabbed Yakubu in the chest with a knife, leading to his death.

The prosecution called four witnesses to establish its case and argued that the offences contravened Sections 97, 85 and 221 of the Penal Code.

Although both defendants pleaded not guilty, the court found the evidence presented sufficient to secure their convictions.

Defence counsel, Sani Idris, had pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy before sentencing.

In her ruling, Justice Mahmoud sentenced Tanimu to death by hanging for culpable homicide, while directing that Joseph’s case be handled in accordance with legal provisions applicable to offenders who were minors at the time of committing an offence.