A State High Court sitting in Kano has sentenced four close friends to death by hanging for the 2016 murder of Rilwanu Ilyasu, a mechanic, bringing an end to a lengthy legal battle that had kept residents waiting for justice for years.
The convicts, Abubakar Sadiq (also known as Sallari), Abdulmajid Jibrin, Nasiru Sani, and Yusuf Sani, were found guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, offences punishable under Sections 97 and 221(b) of the Penal Code.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Safiya Yalwati, told the court that the convicts stormed the residence of the deceased on the night of April 13, 2016, armed with an axe and other dangerous weapons, and attacked him.
According to Yalwati, the assault was motivated by the suspects’ suspicion that the deceased had informed operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) about their drug dealings, which led to the arrest of the first defendant and the seizure of illicit drugs and N27,000 in cash.
Two other suspects, identified as Nura Farin and Dan Bayo, remain at large as security agencies intensify efforts to apprehend them.
After reviewing the evidence presented, the court held that the prosecution had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the four friends participated in the killing of the mechanic.
Following the judgment, the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabir (SAN), commended the verdict, describing it as “a clear message that justice will always prevail in Kano.”
“The decision of the court reflects our firm resolve to hold every offender accountable under the law,” he stated. “This sentence serves as a deterrent and reinforces public confidence in our justice system.”
Residents of the Farawa community, where the victim lived and worked, also expressed satisfaction with the outcome, describing it as long-overdue justice for the slain mechanic. Many said the verdict had finally brought closure to a tragedy that had haunted the neighbourhood for nearly a decade.
