A Jigawa State High Court, presided over by Justice Ado Yusuf Birnin-Kudu, has convicted and sentenced a wife, her husband, her brother, and her sister to death by hanging for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.
The convicts were arrested in 2019 after an investigation and prosecution in connection with the death of Salamatu Musa, a 30-year-old woman, whom they beat to death with a stick. They had accused her of witchcraft, claiming that her supposed “evil acts” caused the death of their son.
The convicted individuals, identified as Hassan Isah (55 years old), Adama Yahaya (42 years old), Abdullahi Yahaya (35 years old), and Maryam Daso Yahaya (28 years old), were living with the deceased at the same residence in Kwan-Dole Village, Mallam-Madori Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
During the trial, the court heard testimony 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, 4 December 2024, Justice Birnin-Kudu stated that the convicts were fully aware that the probable consequence of their actions was a death sentence. Therefore, the court sentenced them to six years’ imprisonment for criminal conspiracy and death by hanging for culpable homicide.
