Hanifa Abubakar
Convicted killers of Kano toddler, Hanifa Abubakar, appeal death sentence
An appeal has been filed by Abdulmalik Muhammad Tanko and Hashimu Isyaku, two convicted killers of a toddler, Hanifa Abubakar, challenging their death sentences at the Court of Appeal, Kano Division.
On the 28th of July, 2022, a Kano State High Court presided over by Justice Usman Mallam Na’abba sentenced the two men to death by hanging after the trial fir killing the toddler.
The sentence also included five and four years each conviction for conspiracy, as they both allegedly conspired and kidnapped the deceased from Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi Islamic Foundation, killed and buried her in a shallow grave in Northwest Preparatory School, located at Kwanar Yan Ghana, in Nassarawa LGA, Kano.
The counsel to the appellants, Barrister Anthony Ezenwoko, is seeking the Court of Appeal to set aside the death conviction by the Kano State High Court on two grounds each.
Abdulmalik and Hashimu alleged that the decision of the court is cannot be supported with the evidence adduced before the court and, therefore, is unreasonable.
They further alleged that the learned trial judge erred in law when he held that the Prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
A three-man justice panel, led by Justice B.M. Ugo, alongside Justice U.A. Musale and Justice A.O. Adeniyi, granted the appellants’ counsel request for an extension to file an appeal, challenging the Kano State High Court Number Five judgment in Case No K/30e/2022.
Counsel for the appellants had applied on August 12, 2024, for an extension of time to challenge the death sentences imposed by the Kano State High Court.
Since the Kano State Government’s counsel did not object to this request, Justice Ugo also granted the appellants’ request to file their appeal within 14 days at the Kano State High Court, specifically regarding the notice of appeal.
He said the decisions align with the Court of Appeal Act, which allows for extensions of time in certain circumstances.
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