Man Sentenced To Death By Hanging For Killing 23 People In Kano Mosque Fire

A Kano Upper Shari’a Court has sentenced 38-year-old Shafi’u Abubakar to death by hanging for setting fire to a mosque during early morning prayers, which led to the deaths of 23 worshippers.

The judgment was delivered on Monday by Justice Halhalatu Khuza’i-Zakariyya, who also ordered that Abubakar receive 150 strokes of the cane for other offences, including attempted murder, inflicting serious injuries, and arson.

The incident happened on May 15, 2024, in Gadan Larabar Abasawa village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

Abubakar reportedly poured petrol inside the mosque and lit it while worshippers were praying between 5:05 and 5:20 a.m.

Justice Khuza’i-Zakariyya stated that burn injuries found on Abubakar’s hand supported the case against him, adding, “The court finds him guilty on all four charges.”

Prosecuting the case, Director of Public Prosecution Salisu Tahir told the court that the act was deliberate.

He submitted pictures of victims, Abubakar’s confessional statement (in both English and Hausa), and testimonies from eyewitnesses.

Though the prosecution brought seven witnesses, the court only accepted the testimonies of two: Ibrahim Salisu (Pw4) and a police officer, Abdullahi Sa’idu (Pw7).

The judge said while Pw4 didn’t witness the act directly, his account of seeing Abubakar fleeing the scene added weight to the case. Pw7’s presentation of the defendant’s confession further strengthened the evidence.

The court issued the following sentences, including death by hanging for the murder of 23 people, 100 strokes of the cane for attempted murder, 50 strokes of the cane and a ₦1,500 fine for arson, Sale of the defendant’s tricycle, with proceeds directed toward repairing the damaged mosque.

The court also stated that Abubakar has 30 days to appeal the ruling.

His lawyer, Hasiya Muhammad-Imam, had pleaded for mercy and requested that he be transferred to the Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Janguza.

However, the court denied the appeal and upheld the full sentence.

KanyiDaily had also reported that a man identified as Okoli Frank Emeka was sentenced to six months in prison for mutilation of the Naira notes in Lagos.