Kano Upper Sharia Court has sentenced a man to death by hanging for setting a mosque ablaze during early morning prayers.
The incident occurred on May 15, 2024, in Gadan Larabar Abasawa village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
23 worshippers died as a result of the attack, and several others sustained various degrees of injuries.
The convict, identified as Shafiu Abubakar, was found guilty of culpable homicide, attempted homicide, causing grievous injury, and mischief by fire.
The offenses contravene Sections 143, 148, and 370 of the Shari’a Legal Code of Kano State, 2000.
The prosecution disclosed that about 11 victims died instantly at the scene of the attack, while 12 others later succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment in hospital.
The presiding judge, Justice Halhatu Huza’i Zakariyya, ruled that the evidence presented before the court proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
In addition to the death sentence, the court ordered that the convict receive 150 strokes of the cane—100 for the offense of mischief by fire and another 50 for causing grievous harm— as well as a fine of N1,500.
The court also directed that the convict’s tricycle be sold and the proceeds used towards the reconstruction of the mosque.
