Ganduje Vows To Sign Death Warrant For Hanifa Abubakar’s Killer If Judgment Is Passed

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje has vowed to sign the death warrant of a 30-year-old teacher, Abdulmalik Tanko over the alleged murder of a five-year-old pupil, Hanifa Abubakar.

KanyiDaily had reported how Hanifa was allegedly abducted and killed by Tanko along with one Hashim Isyaku, 37, after they demanded N6 million ransom.

While being paraded by the police, Tanko said he contacted Isyaku, and one Fatima Musa, to kidnap the girl from her home but they failed to carry out the abduction.

The teacher said that he personally kidnapped and killed the 5-year-old pupil with N100 poison when he found out that she had recognized him, and they buried her corpse in a shallow grave located at the private school premises.

In his reaction, President Muhammadu Buhari had expressed the nation’s condolences to Hanifa’s family, and assured Nigerians that justice will be served.

Ganduje To Assent Death Sentence

On Monday, Ganduje led some members of the state house of assembly and government officials to pay a condolence visit to Hanifa’s family at Dakata-Kwaji in Kano metropolis.

Speaking during the visit, the governor assured the family that justice will prevail in the case, adding that he will sign the death warrant immediately if Hanifa’s killer is sentenced by the court.

Ganduje said, “There is no doubt, just like our scholars have said, this incident that happened is a situation we have not experienced before. But like they said, it is God that gave us this girl and she has returned to her creator. You can only continue to pray for her,” the governor said in Hausa.

“As the governor, we will ensure that there is true justice. The ministry of justice has also assured us that good judgement will be carried out. Anyone who has been confirmed to have killed a person unlawfully has committed a murder offence.

“According to the Nigerian constitution, if anyone is found guilty of murder and convicted, the governor will be asked to approve his sentence and by the grace of God, if they reach such decision, the governor will not take even a second to sign the sentence.

“The court should give the order and ensure anyone who commits such act is sentenced without wasting of time.”

According to section 212 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), governors have the power to decide on court rulings for convicted persons.

Meanwhile, Angry youths in Kano have razed Hanifa Abubakar’s school in protest of the killing of the five-year-old pupil by the teacher.