The Kano State High Court sitting in Bompai has sentenced Mustapha Hamza to death by hanging for the murder of Abubakar Abba, popularly known as Wagile, a resident of Dambazau in Dala Local Government Area of the state.
The judgement was delivered by the presiding judge, Justice Nasir Saminu, following prosecution by the Kano State Ministry of Justice.
The case dates back to 2013, when Hamza and another suspect, identified as Janare, were accused of conspiring to murder Abba.
While Janare was arrested, prosecuted and convicted, and subsequently sentenced to death by hanging in 2015, Hamza fled and remained at large.
Hamza reportedly stayed away for nearly 10 years before returning to Kano in 2023, believing that the case had been forgotten.
However, acting on intelligence about his return, the police arrested him and subsequently brought him before the court to face trial over his alleged involvement in the murder.
During the trial, the prosecution team, led by Safiya Yalwati Yahaya, an Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (ADPP), alongside Farida Wada, called five witnesses and tendered other pieces of evidence against the defendant.
In its judgement, the court found Hamza guilty of culpable homicide punishable by death under Section 221 of the applicable Penal Code and sentenced him to death by hanging.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude, SAN, commended the police for tracking down and arresting the defendant after several years on the run.
He also praised the two state counsel for their professionalism and commitment, which he said contributed to securing the conviction.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Dr Abubakar Tijjani Ibrahim, the Attorney-General reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that suspects accused of serious crimes are brought to justice, irrespective of how long it takes to apprehend them.
He said the ministry would continue to pursue criminal cases diligently, protect citizens’ rights and promote the rule of law.
Maude added that the commitment was in line with the Kano First Agenda of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, particularly efforts to strengthen the justice system, promote public safety and ensure accountability.