AISHA ABUBAKAR
A 55-year old man, Hassan Isah and his wife, Adama Yahaya, 42, brother and sister, Abdullahi Yahaya, 35, and Maryam Daso Yahaya 28, will have to die by hanging for killing a 30-year old woman, Salamatu Musa, over witchcraft in Jigawa State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that it was the judgment of the Jigawa State High Court, presided over by Justice Ado Yusuf Birnin-Kudu, over a case of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.
They were found guilty as charged and sentenced accordingly under the Criminal law of the State. The alleged murder happened in Kwan-Dole Village, Mallam-Madori Local Government Area of Jigawa State, where they resided.
The convicts were arrested in 2019 after being investigated and prosecuted before the Court in connection with the offences of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide by beating the deceased with a stick, leading to her demise.
Earlier, the convicts were found guilty of accusing the deceased of witchcraft. They alleged that her supposed “evil acts” caused the death of their son.
During the prosecution, the court heard testimonies from five witnesses, reviewed a medical report, and considered the confessional statements of the convicts.
The court found them guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, offences punishable under Sections 97 and 221(b) of the Penal Code Laws.
In his ruling on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Hon. Justice Ado Birnin-kudu said that the court having found them guilty for the offence committed with a full knowledge that the probable consequence is a death sentence.
Therefore, the court convicted and sentenced them to Six (6) years imprisonment each for criminal conspiracy and death by hanging for culpable homicide.