Death by Hanging: Jigawa Court’s Verdict on Kidnappers’ Heinous Crimes
The Jigawa State High Court No. 8 has sentenced two individuals, Sani Mohammed and Babannan Saleh (alias Ustaz), to death by hanging for their involvement in abduction, robbery, and murder.
Presiding over the case, Justice Mohammed Kaugama found the defendants guilty on multiple charges, including abduction, criminal conspiracy, robbery, and culpable homicide.
The court determined that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Jigawa State, 2021.
The convicts were linked to several high-profile crimes:
- Abduction of Hamidan Abdu: In June 2021, they invaded Abdu’s residence in Ringim Local Government Area, robbing him and subsequently releasing him after a ransom of ₦12 million was paid.
- Kidnapping of Mr. Eze Viginus Emmanuel: They abducted Emmanuel from his shop in Kano State, demanding a ransom of ₦8 million.
- Murder of Ahmed Nadabo: Saleh was involved in the abduction of Abdullahi Jarma from Maigatari Town, Jigawa State. After receiving a ₦2.5 million ransom, the kidnappers killed Nadabo during the exchange.
Justice Kaugama sentenced the convicts to death for abduction and culpable homicide, with additional sentences of life imprisonment for robbery and three years for criminal conspiracy, all to run concurrently.