A Kano High Court has delivered a landmark ruling, sentencing two men, Aliyu Hussaini and Amir Zakariyya to death by hanging for their involvement in the brutal murder of Buhari Imam, a respected lecturer at Northwest University, Kano.

The judgment, delivered on Monday by Justice Fatima Adamu, found the defendants guilty on a three-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide.

In her verdict, Justice Adamu emphasized the gravity of the crime, stating:

“The actions of the defendants show total disregard for human life.”

She further pronounced judgement:

“Sentencing the defendants to five years’ imprisonment each for conspiracy, 10 years’ imprisonment each for robbery without an option of fine, and death by hanging for culpable homicide. May God have mercy on them.”

The court held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the severe sentence.

According to Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, the incident occurred on June 11 at Sheka Sabuwar Abuja Quarters, Kano. The convicts, Hussaini (of Sheka Sabuwar Abuja Quarters) and Zakariyya (of Unguwar Malam Quarters in Kumbotso Local Government Area), conspired and armed themselves with long knives and machetes before launching a deadly attack on Professor Imam in his home around 3:30 a.m.

During the assault, the men robbed the victim of his mobile phone and stabbed him multiple times in the stomach, thigh, and back injuries that proved fatal.

To establish its case, the prosecution presented three key witnesses and tendered crucial evidence, including medical reports and photographs of the deceased, which corroborated the charges.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, both Hussaini and Zakariyya denied the allegations during the trial. Their defense counsel, Mr. Haruna Saleh-Zakariyya, presented them to testify and later pleaded for leniency. However, the court found the evidence compelling and upheld the prosecution’s claims.

The offences were found to be in violation of Sections 97(1), 298(c), and 221(a) of the Penal Code Laws of Kano State, highlighting the severe legal consequences of their actions.