Kano: Alleged killers of baby Hanifa face’s death sentence
By Abdulgafar Oladimeji
The alleged killers of five years old pupil, Hanifa Abubakar have been arraigned before Kano chief magistrate court no 12 sitting at Gidan Muritala, on four count allegations hinging on culpable homicide punishable with death..
According to first information report “on the 04/12/2021 at about 2030hrs, a report was received from a resident of Dakata Quarters, Nassarawa LGA, Kano State that, one Hanifa Abubakar, ‘f’, aged 5 years old, was kidnapped and a ransom of Six Million Naira (N6,000,000.00) was demanded.
“ Abdulmalik Mohammed Tanko, ‘m’, aged 34 years old, of Tudun Murtala Quarters, Nassarwa LGA, Kano State and one Hashim Isyaku, ‘m’, aged 37 years old, Fatima Musa f aged 26 years old of same address were arrested.”
Adding that “ Hanifa is his student at a private school in Kwanar Dakata, Nassarawa LGA, Kano State, they kidnapped her and contacted her relatives and demanded a ransom of Six Million Naira (N6,000,000.00).
“on the 18/12/2021, realizing that, the victim recognized Tanko , he poisoned her to death, conspired with one Hashim Isyaku, ‘m’, buried her in a shallow grave located at the private school premises located at Kwanar ‘Yan Gana, Tudun Murtala Quarters, Nassarawa LGA, Kano State.”
The prosecution told the court that the defendants allegedly committed acts of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, concealing /keeping in confinement of kidnapped person and culpable homicide.
The FIR further mentioned that the defendants acted contrary to the provisions of sections 97, 274,277 and 221 of the penal code law.
Stating that “culpable homicide shall be punished with death. If the act by which the death is done with the intention of causing death.
The prosecution said “if the doer of the act knew or had reason to know that death would be the probable and not only a likely consequence of the act or of any bodily injury, which the act was intended to cause.”
“whosoever is a party to a criminal conspiracy to commit an offence punishable with death or with imprisonment shall where not express provision is made in this penal code law for the punishment of such conspiracy be punished in the same manner as if he had abetted such offence.”
“whoever kidnaps or abducts any person in order that such person may be killed or may be so disposed of as to be put in danger of being killed shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine,.’
The prosecution informed the court that police investigations have been completed, adding that the case diary has been forwarded to Kano state ministry of justice for legal advise.
The plea of the defendants were not taken into judicial notice, pending the outcome of legal advise
The presiding magistrate, Mohammed jubril ordered that the defendants be remanded in a custodial facility.
The case is adjourned t February 2, for further mention.
