An Upper Shariah Court sitting in Kano has sentenced one Shafiu Abubakar to death by hanging for a deadly arson attack that claimed 23 lives at a mosque in Gadan village, Gezawa Local Government Area of the state.
The tragic incident happened on May 15, 2024, when Abubakar set the mosque ablaze while worshippers were performing early morning prayers.
Eleven people died on the spot, while twelve others succumbed to injuries later at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.
Presiding over the case on Monday, Judge Halhatu Huza’i Zakariya found Abubakar guilty on all four counts—culpable homicide, attempt to commit homicide, causing grievous injury, and mischief by fire.
The offences contravened Sections 143, 148, and 370 of the Kano State Shari’a Penal Code (2000).
In addition to the death sentence, the court ordered Abubakar to receive 100 and another 50 lashes respectively, pay a fine of N1,500, and forfeit his motorcycle to the Kano State Government.
The judge directed that proceeds from the motorcycle’s sale be used to repair the damaged mosque.
Abubakar was initially arraigned on May 25, 2024, and pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of culpable homicide.
However, the Kano State Government amended the charges to four counts on July 4, 2024, and expanded the scope of the accusations following further investigations.
During the trial, the prosecution presented seven witnesses, including Abdulaziz Yahya, the Village Head of Gadan, and ASP Abdullahi Sajoh Adamawa of the Gezawa Police Division.
