Court fixes August 1 for judgement in Kano mosque arson

The defendant, Shafi’u Abubakar, 38, who lives at Gadan Village in Gezawa Local Government Area of the state is standing trial for allegedly setting a mosque on fire, killing 23 people.

During the last sitting the Prosecution Counsel, Director Public Prosecution (DPP) Kano State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Salisu Tahir, asked the court to allow the state file a new charge that would contain the exact number of victims and names.

Those who died in the arson included Kabiru Yunusa 75, Bello Yunusa 63, Sadi Abdullahi 26 and Abdullahi Garba 65.

Others are Yusuf Halliru 30, Jibrin Sulaiman 82, Auwalu Abdullahi 27, Abdullahi Tasiu 36, and Auwalu Bello 30.

The defendant was alleged to have used petrol to set the mosque at Gadan Village Gezawa Local Government Kano on fire during subhi (dawn) prayer at about 5:15 a.m, on May 15.

The defendant reportedly poured petrol on the carpet where the victims were praying, and closed the door. In the process, several people sustained varying degrees of injury and were rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano for treatment, while 23 persons died and 2 other persons sustained serious injuries.

The defendant pleaded guilty to all the four-count charges bordering on culpable homicide, attempted murder, causing grievous hurt and mischief by fire contrary to sections 143, 148, 167 and 370 of Kano State Sharia Law 2000.

The defence counsel, Barr. Asiya Muhammad Imam from Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, asked the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant admitted committing the offence.

The presiding Judge, Malam Halhalatul Huza’i Zakariyya, adjourned the case until August 1 and 2 for judgement on the 2nd and 3rd charges as well as hearing on the 1st and 4th charges.