GistNexus – April 23, 2025.
The High Court sentenced Salisu Idris to death by hanging after finding him guilty of setting a family of three ablaze. Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu handed down the judgment at the Kano State High Court, declaring that the case of the prosecution had been proved beyond reasonable doubt.
“I hereby find Idris guilty of setting the victims ablaze and hereby sentence him to death by hanging,” Justice Adamu-Aliyu declared in her judgment.
The sentence followed a harrowing case where a 50-year-old man, his wife, and a two-year-old toddler were burned to death. The sad accident was reported at Gayawa Quarters, Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State.
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The court was filled with tension as the events of the violent act were revealed. Despite Idris’s repeated denial of involvement in the act, the court found him guilty based on substantial evidence, primarily the testimonies of two witnesses and his confessional statement, which was presented in court.
Details of the Gruesome Crime
According to the Prosecution Counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, the crime was perpetrated on September 25, 2019. In the early morning of that day, at about 2 a.m., Idris and his co-conspirator, Aliyu Abdullahi-Anas, who is on the run, purportedly conspired to set ablaze the house of Aminu Bala.
The devastating fire killed the toddler, Idris’s wife, and Bala. The prosecution said that the planned arson attack involved Idris directly in its plot and design and execution of the crime.
The motive behind the ghastly crime was not disclosed in the court case. But the prosecution pointed out that the crime was against Sections 85 and 221 of the Penal Code dealing with abetment and culpable homicide punishable with death.
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Two witnesses at the trial provided evidence that implicated Idris as having been at the scene of the crime. Their testimonies, combined with the written confession purportedly given by Idris, formed the core of the prosecution case.
Despite his claim of confession, Idris testified on the witness stand during his defense to exonerate himself of any complicity. His defense attorney, Mustafa Hussaini, argued that the confession was coerced and therefore could not be trusted. But the court asserted that the evidence against him was overwhelming.
Defence’s Efforts and Court’s Verdict
The defense lawyer, Mr. Mustafa Hussaini, never lost hope of securing a reduced sentence for his client. He presented that there were inconsistencies in the prosecution case and that reasonable doubt existed regarding Idris’s direct participation in the offense.
However, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu dismissed the defense submissions in light of the witnesses’ unchanging testimonies and the strength of the confessional statement. She added that the defense failed to provide any credible evidence to counter the prosecution’s claims.
Justice Adamu-Aliyu further noted that the seriousness of the crime, which claimed the lives of three innocent people, necessitated applying the full weight of the law.
The ruling has caused widespread mixed reactions among the general public. While some of the people of Kano State were relieved that justice had been served, others were grieving for the loss of life and the tragic circumstances that led to the case.
Broader Implications for Justice in Kano State
The case has again brought to the forefront the issue of violent crime in Kano State and the need for a strong judicial system capable of addressing such serious offenses. It has also raised the significance of witness testimony and confessional evidence in securing convictions in cases of arson and homicide.
Legal experts and lawyers have observed that the ruling is a stern warning to others who may be tempted to commit such an act. It indicates that the Kano State judiciary is committed to ensuring that justice is delivered and perpetrators of violent crimes receive the maximum punishment for their crimes.
At the same time, attempts are being made to arrest Aliyu Abdullahi-Anas, the alleged accomplice who is still on the loose. Security authorities have reassured the public that they are doing everything in their power to apprehend him.
With the case finally ending with the sentencing of Salisu Idris to death by hanging, the family of the victims and the larger Kano community are left to struggle with the devastating loss and pray for healing and closure.
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Contributed by Halima Auwal from Kano and Edited by Mr. Chibueze Onwuka