An Upper Shari’a Court sitting in Kano has summoned two prosecution witnesses, Bashir Sale and Salisu Sani, directing them to appear before it to testify in the ongoing trial of 38-year-old Shafi’u Abubakar over mosque arson.
The defendant, who lives in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano, is charged with culpable homicide, attempted murder, causing grievous hurt and mischief by fire.
Daily Trust reported that he had poured petrol and set fire on a mosque in Gadan Larabar Abasawa village and locked the doors, trapping 23 worshippers during Subhi prayer on May 15, at about 5:15am.
The offence contravenes provisions of sections 140, 148, 167 and 370 of Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law 2000.
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The defendant had pleaded guilty to all the charges levelled against him.
The judge, Malam Halhalatu Zakariyya, issued the summons following a request by the prosecution counsel and the Director Public Prosecution (DPP), Kano State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Salisu Tahir.
Sale and Sani, both residents of Gadan Larabar Abasawa village, along with a police officer were scheduled to testify in the trial.
Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Tahir, told the court that he received a phone call at about 6:25 a.m on Wednesday from the Ward Head of Gadan Larabar Abasawa village, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yahaya, that the witnesses would appear before the court to testify.
Tahir said he waited for the witnesses in his office till 9:50am and later called Sale to remind him that they were waiting so they could proceed to the court.
He therefore urged the court to issue a witness summon to the two witnesses through the office of the Ward Head.
The defence counsel, Hasiya Muhammad Imam, did not object to the prosecution application.
The court adjourned the matter until Oct30, for continuation of hearing.
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