A Kano High Court on Monday sentenced two men, Aliyu Hussaini and Amir Zakariyya, to death by hanging for killing Buhari Imam, a lecturer at Northwest University, Kano.
Mr Hussaini, of Sheka Sabuwar Abuja Quarters and Mr Zakariyya, of Unguwar Malam Quarters in Kumbotso Local Government Area, were convicted on a three-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide.
Delivering judgement, Justice Fatima Adamu said the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The action of the defendants shows total disregard for human life. I hereby sentence the defendants to five years’ imprisonment each for conspiracy, 10 years’ imprisonment each for robbery without an option of fine, and death by hanging for culpable homicide. May God have mercy on them,” the judge said.
The prosecution counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that the convicts committed the offence on June 11 at Sheka Sabuwar Abuja Quarters, Kano.
He said the defendants conspired and armed themselves with long knives and machetes before robbing Imam of his mobile phone and stabbing him in the stomach, thigh and back, which led to his death.
The prosecution called three witnesses and tendered medical reports and photographs of the deceased as evidence.
The convicts denied the charges.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 97(1), 298(c) and 221(a) of the Penal Code Laws of Kano State.
The defence counsel, Haruna Saleh-Zakariyya, presented the convicts to testify and pleaded for leniency.
