Jigawa court sentences four to death for killing woman over witchcraft
A Jigawa State High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Ado Yusuf Birnin-Kudu, has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide in the murder of Salamatu Musa, a 30-year-old woman accused of witchcraft.
According to Channels TV, the convicts—Hassan Isah (55), Adama Yahaya (42), Abdullahi Yahaya (35), and Maryam Daso Yahaya (28)—are all residents of Kwan-Dole Village, Mallam-Madori Local Government Area.
The court found them guilty of conspiring to attack and kill Salamatu Musa, whom they accused of using witchcraft to cause the death of their son.
Delivering the judgment on December 4, 2024, Justice Birnin-Kudu ruled, “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, which began in 2019, saw the prosecution present five witnesses, a medical report, and the convicts’ confessional statements.
The agency reported that the evidence convinced the court beyond reasonable doubt of their guilt under Sections 97 and 221(b) of the Penal Code Laws.
Commenting on the verdict, Abbas Rufa’i Wangara, Director of Protocol and Publicity for the Jigawa State Judiciary, emphasised, “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 90 days to file an appeal against the ruling.
Meanwhile, the agency reports that the judgment has sparked mixed reactions across the state, with some residents applauding the court’s firm stance on justice, while others raised concerns about the cultural and legal implications of the case.
