Court sentences killer of Maiduguri housewife to death

The Borno State High Court in Maiduguri has sentenced the killer of the 20-year-old housewife, Fatima Alhaji Bukar, on October 17, 2023.

Lifeless body of Fatima was found by her husband, Adamu Ibrahim, in their Dikicheri home, Behind Gidanka Dembe home, with her child crying beside her, covered in blood.

The defendant, Abatcha Bukar, was found guilty of using a pestle to hit the deceased head and stabbing her multiple times in the neck and head with a knife.

An autopsy confirmed that she had suffered a broken skull, and  swollen brain. She also had  wounds on her chin, jaw, forehead and neck.

• Police retirement crisis festers
• We’re working to address ‘Japa syndrome’ in health sector – FG

The court was told that the victim was also strangulated.

According to prosecutors, the convict was traced through the deceased’s phone stolen along with the carton after the murder was committed.

“On capturing the IME no. of the deceased phone, a new user was seen on the phone and her SIM card replaced. We captured the details of the new user, one Nuhu Mohammed, who told us that it was the defendant, (Abatcha Bukar) who sold the phone to him,” Ins Yakubu Nuhu said.

Nuhu, who is a police officer attached to State Investigation Bureau, Borno State Command, said the convict failed to honour their invitation but was later arrested with lots of difficulties.

But the defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge sheet was read to him and the prosecution proceeded with the case pursuant to Section 218 (1) of the Borno State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2023.

The prosecution called nine witnesses and tendered six exhibits to wits and proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.

Daily Trust reports that the defendant was charged with culpable homicide, punishable under Section 191(a) of Borno State Penal Code Law (2023).

The court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Maina, held that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and found the accused guilty as charged.

“He is accordingly convicted of the offence of culpable homicide punishable with death under Section 221 of the Penal Code Law, Capital. 102 laws of Borno State, 1994.

“Consequently, I, hereby, sentence you Abatcha Bukar to death. You are to be hanged by the neck until you die. May the Almighty Allah have mercy on your soul,” he said.