Court sentences 4 family members to death for murder of alleged witch
A Jigawa State High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Ado Yusuf Birnin-Kudu, has sentenced four family members to death by hanging over charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.
The convicts include a husband, wife, the wife’s brother, and her sister, all found guilty of murdering Salamatu Musa, a 30-year-old woman accused of witchcraft.
The judgment, delivered on December 4, 2024, followed an extensive legal process that began in 2019, when the convicts were arrested and prosecuted.
The accused, Identified as Hassan Isah (55), Adama Yahaya (42), Abdullahi Yahaya (35), and Maryam Daso Yahaya (28), were all residents of Kwan-Dole Village, Mallam-Madori Local Government Area.
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The court heard that the convicts conspired to attack Salamatu Musa with a stick, leading to her death.
They alleged that the deceased was a witch whose supposed evil acts caused the death of their son.
In his ruling, Justice Birnin-Kudu stated, “The court finds the accused guilty of committing the offence with full knowledge of its probable consequence: death. Therefore, the court hereby sentences them to six years imprisonment each for criminal conspiracy and death by hanging for culpable homicide.”
During the trial, the prosecution presented five witnesses, a medical report, and the convicts’ confessional statements. The evidence convinced the court beyond reasonable doubt of their guilt under Sections 97 and 221(b) of the Penal Code Laws.
Speaking on the judgment, Abbas Rufa’I Wangara, Director of Protocol and Publicity for the Jigawa State Judiciary, affirmed, “This judgment underscores the Judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all, irrespective of social or cultural beliefs.”
The convicts have been granted 90 days to file an appeal against the judgment.
Meanwhile, the ruling has drawn reactions from the public, with many expressing mixed feelings about the cultural and legal implications of the case.
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