A Shariah court sitting in Kano has sentenced a man, Shafiu Abubakar, to death by hanging after he was found guilty of setting fire to a mosque in Gadan village, Gezawa Local Government Area, during early morning prayers on May 15, 2024. The attack led to the immediate deaths of 11 worshippers, with the total rising to 25 as others succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.
Abubakar was arraigned on Monday, May 26, and faced a four-count charge. The presiding judge, Halhatu Huzai Zakariya, declared him guilty of culpable homicide, attempted homicide, causing grievous injury, and mischief by fire, all of which violate Sections 143, 148, and 370 of the Kano State Sharia legal code enacted in 2000.
In addition to the death sentence for murder, the court also imposed 100 strokes of cane for attempted murder, a N1,500 fine for causing grievous harm, and 50 strokes of the cane for mischief by fire. The judge further ordered that Abubakar’s motorcycle be confiscated and auctioned by the Kano State government, with the proceeds directed towards the repairs of the mosque damaged in the incident.
