A Kano State High Court presided over by the Chief Judge, Justice Dije Aboki, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced five members of a vigilance group to death by hanging, over the extra-judicial killing of a 17-year-old male, Ahmed Musa.
The five convicted persons who were attached to Sani Abacha Youth Centre include Emmanuel Korau, Elisha Ayuba, Irimiya Timothy, Auwalu Jafar and Mustapha Haladu.
The prosecution lead counsel, Lamido Dinki, said the convicts committed the offence on January 22, 2022, at Sabon Titi, Panshekara, Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.
Also, the lawyer explained that on the same date at about 10 a.m., the convicts conspired and attacked the deceased, while he was crossing Sabon Titi, Panshekara Road.
Furthermore, the prosecution told the court that the defendants disembarked from a tricycle and started brutalising the deceased, with a long wooden hard club which he attempted to evade.
While attempting to shield himself from harm, the first defendant used a long sharp knife in his possession and stabbed the deceased on his neck, dragged him on the floor and bundled him into their waiting tricycle and whisked him away.
“In the process, the deceased suffered grievous injuries and swollen face,” he said.
He disclosed that the victim was subsequently conveyed to Kuntau Police Division Kano from where he was rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano, but confirmed dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.
To prove his case, the prosecution presented five witnesses.
On the other hand, the defence counsel, Ahmad Muhammad, led the five convicted persons, alongside one other person.
When the charges were read, the convicts denied committing the offence.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 97 and 221 (b) of the Penal Code.
Earlier in their testimony, the defendants claimed that they approached the deceased to arrest him following a complaint lodged against him.
The presiding judge upheld, “I’m fully satisfied with the evidence adduced by the prosecution, Lamido Abba Soron Dinki.”
Furthermore, Justice Aboki commended Dinki’s diligent prosecution, saying, “The prosecution has presented its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“I, hereby, sentence the five defendants to death by hanging.” (Punch)