A Kano High Court has sentenced a 22-year-old man to death for killing his neighbour during a dispute at a political celebration held in Dakata Quarters.
The High Court in Kano has delivered a decisive ruling in the case involving 22-year-old Najibullah Alkasim, sentencing him to death for the fatal stabbing of his neighbour, Isyaku Ya’u.
The tragic incident occurred during a political celebration in Dakata Quarters on January 19, 2024, turning what should have been a joyful night into a grim chapter for the community.
Presiding Judge, Justice Farida Dabappa, held that the prosecution successfully established the charge of culpable homicide.
According to the court’s findings, the defendant stabbed the deceased in the chest with a screwdriver during a heated argument at the gathering.
The ruling reaffirmed the court’s duty to uphold justice, especially in cases that threaten communal peace in Kano.
During the trial, Prosecution Counsel Lamido Abba-Sorondinki detailed how the dispute escalated at a party organised to celebrate an election victory.
The prosecution presented four witnesses, a medical report, photographs, the alleged murder weapon, and what they described as a confessional statement made by Alkasim.
All pieces of evidence were admitted and played a significant role in shaping the court’s conclusion.
Although Alkasim denied committing the act, his defence counsel, Tasiu Daneji, called three witnesses in an attempt to counter the prosecution’s claims.
However, the court ruled that the defence failed to produce evidence strong enough to cast reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case.
Justice Dabappa noted that the testimonies from the defence lacked coherence and could not outweigh the prosecution’s clear narrative.
The verdict has stirred emotional reactions within the community. Many residents of Kano believe the judgment closes a painful chapter, especially for the family of the deceased, who have waited months for closure.
For Alkasim’s relatives, however, the sentencing marks a devastating turn, leaving them to grapple with the consequences of a violent confrontation that escalated beyond control.
Community leaders have also used the ruling to caution young people in Kano about the dangers of heated arguments and the need to avoid confrontations at political or social events.
They emphasised the importance of conflict management, urging residents to value dialogue over violence.
