Kano court sentences man to death for killing stepmother, sister

A Kano High Court has sentenced 22-year-old Sagiru Rijiyar-Zaki to death by hanging for the brutal murder of his stepmother and sister in Kutama Village, Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State.

Rijiyar-Zaki was found guilty of culpable homicide after the court established that he fatally stabbed his stepmother, Rabiatu Sagir, and strangled his sister, Munawara, using a scarf.

Presiding over the case, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu ruled on Tuesday that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. She therefore handed down the death sentence, emphasizing the gravity of the crime and the need for justice to be served.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, informed the court that the convict committed the offence on January 7 2023, at Rijiyar Zaki Quarters, Kano.

He said that at about 8 p.m., Rijiyar-Zaki caused the death of his stepmother, Rabiatu, by stabbing her in the neck with a screwdriver after a misunderstanding and also strangled his sister, Munawara, with her scarf.

The prosecution presented two witnesses and tendered exhibits to prove their case against the defendant.

The convict, however, denied committing the offence.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 221(a) of the Penal Code Law of Kano State, 1991.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Mubarak Abubakar, presented the convict to testify in his defence.

(NAN)