A Jigawa State High Court has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for the murder of Salamatu Musa, a 30-year-old woman accused of witchcraft.
The convicts-Hassan Isah (55), Adama Yahaya (42), Abdullahi Yahaya (35), and Maryam Daso Yahaya (28)-are all residents of Kwan-Dole Village in Mallam-Madori Local Government Area.
They were found guilty of conspiring to kill Salamatu, whom they accused of causing the death of their son through alleged witchcraft.
Justice Birnin-Kudu, delivering the judgment on December 4, 2024, described the act as premeditated and heinous.
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He said, “The court finds the accused guilty of committing the offence with full knowledge of its probable consequence: death. Therefore, the court hereby sentences them to six years imprisonment each for criminal conspiracy and death by hanging for culpable homicide.”
The case began in 2019 when the convicts were arrested and prosecuted.
During the trial, the prosecution presented compelling evidence, including five witnesses, a medical report, and the defendants’ confessional statements. The court found the evidence sufficient to convict the accused under Sections 97 and 221(b) of the Penal Code Laws.
Abbas Rufa’i Wangara, Director of Protocol and Publicity for the Jigawa State Judiciary, said, “This judgment underscores the Judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all, irrespective of social or cultural beliefs.”
The convicts have been granted 90 days to file an appeal.
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