Proprietor of Nobel Kids Academy and North West Preparatory School, Abdulmalik Tanko, who is the principal suspect involved in the kidnap and killing of a five-year-old school girl, Hanifa Abubakar, was on Thursday sentenced to death by hanging until he dies.
A High Court in Kano, presided by Justice Usman Na’abba gave the judgement on Thursday.
Na’abba also convicted Tanko to five-year imprisonment for four count charges against him.
The judge also sentenced the second defendant, Hashim Ishyaku, to death by hanging and four years imprisonment. Two years for conspiracy and another two years for concealment.
Proprietor of Nobel Kids Academy (Abdulmalik Tanko) alongside his accomplices, Hashim Isyaku and Fatima Jibrin, were arraigned before the court by the Kano State government for allegedly killing little Hanifa -a pupil of the school.
The government filed five count charges against the suspects, including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, confinement, and culpable homicide, contrary to sections 97, 274, 277, and 221 of the penal code.
The High Court Judge found Tanko and the second and third accused persons, Hashim Isiyaku and Fatima Musa, guilty in four counts of charges in the case of the murder of Hanifa Abubakar last year.
Kano Attorney General, Barrister Musa Abdullahi Lawan, who is the prosecution counsel, hailed the verdict (death sentence). He described Hanifa’s murder as a “crime against humanity,” adding that the deceased (victim) deserves justice.
Kano residents and other Nigerians angered by the little girl’s murder are anxious to hear and see Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje responds to the judgment.
The Governor had earlier pledged to sign the death sentence if passed by the court.
