An upper Shariah court in Kano State has handed down a death sentence to Shafiu Abubakar, convicting him of deliberately setting fire to a mosque in Gadan Village, located within the Gezawa local government area.
This horrific act occurred on the morning of May 15, 2024, during early morning prayers, when the Muslim faithful were gathered in worship.
The fire caused immediate devastation, resulting in the deaths of 11 worshippers on the spot. Tragically, the death toll continued to rise as several others who sustained severe injuries succumbed later while undergoing medical treatment at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, a leading medical facility in the state.
Following the incident, Abubakar was formally arraigned in court on Monday, May 26. The trial was presided over by Judge Halhatu Huza’i Zakariya, who found him guilty on all four counts charged against him.
The charges filed include culpable homicide, attempt to commit homicide, causing grievous injury, and mischief by fire. These offenses were prosecuted under sections 143, 148, and 370 of the Kano State Sharia legal code of 2000.
In delivering judgment, the court sentenced Shafiu Abubakar to death by hanging for the murder charge, reflecting the severity of his crime. For the count of attempted murder, he was sentenced to 100 strokes of the cane, a form of corporal punishment recognized under the state’s Sharia law.
Additionally, for causing grievous hurt to the victims, Abubakar was ordered to pay a fine of N1,500. For the act of mischief by fire, which involved damaging the mosque property, he received a sentence of 50 strokes of the cane.
Moreover, the court ordered that Abubakar’s motorcycle, which was used in the commission of the crime, be forfeited to the Kano State government. The proceeds from the sale of the vehicle are to be allocated specifically for the repair and restoration of the damaged mosque, underscoring the court’s commitment to restoring the community affected by this tragic event.
This landmark ruling by the upper Shariah court sends a strong message regarding the consequences of such heinous acts in Kano State and serves as a deterrent against violence and the violation of religious sanctity within the region.