AISHA ABUBAKAR
A Zamfara State High Court has sentenced two men, Abdulshakur Tukur and Abdullahi Buba, to death by hanging for their alleged involvement in the 2021 killing of Ahmad Yakubu in Gusau.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday by the Chief Judge of Zamfara State, Justice Kulu Isa Aliyu, after a full trial on charges of conspiracy and culpable homicide.
The court found that the two defendants were responsible for the murder of Yakubu in the Barakallahu area of Gusau on December 13, 2021.
Justice Aliyu convicted them of culpable homicide punishable with death under Section 221 of the Penal Code. She sentenced both to death by hanging.
On the second count of criminal conspiracy contrary to Section 97 of the Penal Code, the court sentenced each of them to 7 years imprisonment.
The case drew public attention following the disappearance of Ahmad Yakubu in late 2021. Police said the victim was later found dead in an uncompleted building in Barakallahu with parts of his body missing.
Investigations led to the arrest of several suspects between late 2021 and early 2022. They were initially arraigned before a magistrate court on allegations including conspiracy, culpable homicide and related offences before the matter was transferred to the High Court.
During trial, the prosecution presented evidence to link Tukur and Buba to the killing. In her ruling, Justice Aliyu held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecuting counsel for Zamfara State, Kabiru Samaila, said after the judgment that the state was satisfied with the decision, noting that adequate evidence was placed before the court.
Counsel to the defendants, Zakari Abubakar, said the defence team would study the judgment and decide on the next step, including a possible appeal.
The court also ruled on two other persons linked to the case. Proceedings against Aminu Baba, who was alleged to have bought parts of the victim’s body, were struck out following his reported death while in custody.
The third defendant, Ahmad Tukur, was discharged and acquitted after the court held that the prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence to connect him to the murder.
With the sentence, Tukur and Buba remain on death row pending any appeal. Under Nigerian law, convicts sentenced to death have the right to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.