A High Court in Kano State has sentenced a housewife, Fadila Adamu, to death by hanging for kidnapping an eight-year-old girl and throwing her into a well, leading to the child’s death.
The court, presided over by Justice Yusuf Muhammad-Ubale, found Adamu guilty of kidnapping and culpable homicide. The judge ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“I hereby sentence the defendant to death by hanging for kidnapping and throwing the victim into a well, which caused her death,” the judge declared while delivering the judgment on Friday.
How the Crime Happened
The prosecution, led by Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that Adamu committed the crime on July 14, 2019, in the Tudun Wada Quarters, Kano. According to the prosecution, the defendant kidnapped the minor and took her to her house, deceiving her sister by claiming that the girl was the daughter of a friend who had traveled to Ghana.
“She told her sister that the mother of the child had traveled and asked her to take care of the girl until she returned,” Abba-Sorondinki explained.
Three days later, on July 17, 2019, at about 6:30 p.m., Adamu threw the child into a deep well located in Tukuntawa Quarters, Kano, causing her death.
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Prosecution Provides Strong Evidence
To support its case, the prosecution presented seven witnesses and submitted key evidence, including the defendant’s statements and a medical report confirming the victim’s death.
The prosecution argued that Adamu’s actions violated Sections 274(b) and 221(a) of the Penal Code, which deal with kidnapping and culpable homicide.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, the defendant denied committing the crime.
Defence Fails to Convince Court
The defence counsel, Zulaihat Tata, attempted to argue Adamu’s innocence, presenting four witnesses, including the defendant herself. However, the court ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution was stronger and proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Following the judgment, legal analysts and human rights activists reacted to the case. Some described the ruling as a necessary punishment for a heinous crime, while others questioned the circumstances that led to such a tragic incident.
The case has drawn attention across Kano State, with many residents expressing shock over the gruesome nature of the crime.