A Kano State High Court has sentenced a man, Salisu Idris, to death by hanging for the gruesome killing of a family of three by arson in Gayawa Quarters, Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, who presided over the case declared that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. “I hereby sentence Idris to death by hanging for burning the victims alive,”; she ruled.
Idris was arraigned on charges of abatement and culpable homicide for his role in a 2019 attack that led to the death of Aminu Bala, 50, his wife, and their two-year-old child.
According to the prosecution, led by Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, the incident occurred around 2 a.m. on September 25, 2019. Idris, alongside a co-conspirator identified as Aliyu Abdullahi-Anas — who remains at large — reportedly set fire to Bala’s home, resulting in the tragic deaths.
The prosecution presented two witnesses and relied heavily on Idris’ confessional statement to build its case. Despite his denial of the charges during trial, the court found Idris guilty of the offences, which contravene Sections 85 and 221 of the Penal Code.
Defence counsel Mustafa Hussaini had presented Idris as the sole witness in his defence, but his testimony failed to convince the court of his innocence.
The case has drawn public outrage and renewed calls for swift justice in cases of violent crime in the state. Authorities say efforts are ongoing to apprehend Abdullahi-Anas, the fugitive accomplice.
