A Kano State High Court delivered a stark verdict on Thursday, sentencing Abdulaziz Adamu to death for kidnapping and murdering his employer, Alhaji Ali Alhassan, after collecting a N15 million ransom from the family. The case, which stunned residents of Dawakin Kudu, reached its conclusion before Justice Aisha Mahmoud, who held that the prosecution had proved its case with clear and convincing evidence.
Adamu, who lived in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area, faced charges of conspiracy, kidnapping and culpable homicide. The court upheld the charges against him but freed his co-defendant, Abdullahi Alhassan of Danladi Nasidi Quarters, after finding no evidence tying him to the crime. The prosecution had alleged that both men abducted the victim on 16 June 2024 and later demanded a ransom. The money was paid, yet the victim was killed.
Prosecution counsel Lamido Abba-Sorondinki explained that the attackers struck the victim on the head and chest with heavy sticks before burying his body in Adamu’s compound. The state called two witnesses and tendered Adamu’s confessional statement in support of the charges. Although both defendants denied wrongdoing, Adamu pleaded for mercy at the final stage of the trial.
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The offences were brought under Sections 97, 273 and 221(a) of the Penal Code of Kano State. In her judgment, Justice Mahmoud declared that the evidence against Adamu was overwhelming and ordered that he be executed by hanging. She invoked a prayer for divine mercy before pronouncing the sentence.
The judge noted that the second defendant could not be held liable because the evidence failed to place him at the scene or show any role in the crime. She also observed that the section cited for kidnapping covered only minors, which further weakened the case against Abdullahi. With that, he was discharged and acquitted.
