A Kano State High Court has sentenced five men to death by hanging for the murder of 67-year-old Dahare Abubakar, whom they accused of witchcraft. The sentencing took place on Monday, January 3.
Da’luta Ibrahim, Abdulaziz Yahaya, Faisal Yahaya, Ibrahim Abdu, and Ayuba Abdulrahman—were found guilty of culpable homicide in connection with the brutal attack that occurred on November 15, 2023, in Dadin Kowa Village within the Wudil local government area of Kano State.
In the judgment delivery, Justice Usman Na’abba stated that the prosecution had proven its case against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt. “I hereby sentence the defendants to death by hanging for homicide and acquit Nabi’a Ibrahim, the sixth defendant, as evidence shows she was not at the scene,” the judge ruled.
Prosecution counsel Lamido Abba-Sorondinki informed the court that the convicts conspired to attack Abubakar around 8:30 a.m. after suspecting her of witchcraft. They followed her to her farm and fatally stabbed her with dangerous weapons.
Abubakar was rushed to Wudil General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.
To substantiate their case, the prosecution presented four witnesses and two exhibits, including statements from the defendants and a medical report. Despite their denials, the judge found their testimonies unpersuasive.
The defendants had presented eight witnesses in their defense, led by counsel Ma’aruf Yakasai; however, the court upheld the conviction for culpable homicide.
