An Upper Shariah Court in Kano has sentenced Shafiu Abubakar to death by hanging after he set a mosque in Kano state on fire during early morning prayers. Gadan confessed to charges of culpable homicide and causing grievous harm, leading to the court's judgement delivered on Monday, May 26. Gadan's action led to the death of 23 worshippers on May 15, 2024. The incident happened when the worshippers were performing early morning prayers on May 15, 2024. The arsonist reportedly locked the door of the mosque after setting it ablaze, trapping worshippers inside. About 11 worshippers reportedly died immediately while 12 others lost their lives while receiving treatment at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.

As reported by Daily Trust, Abubakar was arraigned in court, on Monday and the presiding judge, Halhatu Huza’i Zakariya, found him guilty on all the four-count charge filed against him. The charges are culpable homicide, attempt to commit homicide, causing grievous injury and mischief by fire, contrary to the provisions of sections 143,148 and 370 of Shari’a legal code of Kano State 2000. The court also ordered 100 and another 50 lashes and a fine of 1500 against the convict. It also ordered the forfeiture of his motorcycle to Kano state government the proceeds of which should be used to repair the damaged mosque.

Meanwhile, Kano state government had arraigned Abubakar on May 25, 2024, but he pleaded guilty to the initial three-count charge of culpable homicide that led to the deaths of 11 people. An amended 4-count charge was filed against him on July 4, 2024 The prosecution presented 7 witnesses including Abdulaziz Yahya, the Village head of Gadan, and ASP Abdullahi Sajoh Adamawa, a police officer attached to Gezawa police station.

In another development, suspected bandits attacked and killed seven worshippers in a mosque at Saya-Saya village in Ikara local government area of Kaduna state. The bandits killed five of the victims in the mosque and two others were killed at different locations within the community. According to local sources, the tragic incident occurred when the bandits attacked the worshippers who were performing Isha’i (Sunset) prayers at a local mosque around 8 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023. The village Head, Malam Abdulrahman Yusuf, who confirmed the incident said the village head of the vigilante was among the worshippers killed inside the mosque.

An upper Shariah court in Kano has sentenced Shafiu Abubakar to death by hanging for setting fire to worshippers during prayers at a mosque in Gadan Village, located in the Gezawa local government area of the state. During Monday’s court session, Judge Halhatu Huza’i Zakariya found Abubakar guilty on all four charges brought against him. The charges include culpable homicide, attempted homicide, inflicting grievous harm, and causing damage by fire, violating sections 143, 148, and 370 of Kano State’s 2000 Sharia legal code. In addition to the death sentence, the court mandated that Abubakar receive 100 lashes, another 50 lashes, and pay a fine of 1,500. His motorcycle was ordered forfeited to the Kano State government, with proceeds directed towards restoring the damaged mosque.

Abubakar was initially arraigned on May 25, 2024, where he pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of culpable homicide linked to the deaths of 11 victims. The charges were later amended to four counts on July 4, 2024. The prosecution called seven witnesses to testify, including Abdulaziz Yahya, the village head of Gadan, and ASP Abdullahi Sajoh Adamawa, a police officer stationed at Gezawa.