Kano Court sentences Chinese to death by hanging for killing girlfriend

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A 47-year-old Chinese national, Frank Geng-Quangrong, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his Nigerian girlfriend, Ummukulsum Sani, aged 22.

A Kano State High Court handed down death sentence by hanging over tragic incident which occurred on September 16, 2022, at Janbulo Quarters in Kano.

The presiding judge, Justice Sanusi Ado-Ma’aji, in his judgment delivered on Tuesday, said: “The defendant’s testimony is inconsistent. I hereby find him guilty.”

The judge also recommended mercy on behalf of the convict to be considered by the Kano State governor.

The prosecution, led by the Attorney-General of Kano State, Haruna Dederi, successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Dederi recounted the events leading to the fatal stabbing, emphasising the defendant’s culpability.

“The victim was rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” Dederi stated.

The judgement, which was delivered against Frank’s plea of not guilty, stated that the court heard from six witnesses and examined four exhibits.

These six witnesses reinforced the prosecution’s case with the defence counsel, Muhummad Dan’azumi, presenting Frank’s testimony, wherein he claimed self-defense, alleging that the victim had attacked him first.

“I didn’t kill Ummulkhulsum intentionally but stabbed her in self-defense after she grabbed my testes,” Frank testified.

Following the verdict, the victim’s mother, Hajiya Fatima Zubairu, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. The ruling serves as a testament to the pursuit of justice for victims of violent crimes in the region.

As Frank awaits the governor’s decision on his plea for mercy, many believe the legal proceedings serve as a reminder of the need for stringent measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.