5 males have been sentenced to demise by hanging in Nigeria’s Kano state for the 2023 homicide of a lady they accused of witchcraft.
The convicted males attacked Dahare Abubakar, 67, as she was engaged on her farm, beating and stabbing her to demise.
Ms Abubakar’s household went to the authorities and the suspects have been swiftly arrested in a village 45km (28 miles) from Kano – the most important metropolis in northern Nigeria.
The case gained consideration throughout the nation and raised discussions over how folks in rural areas proceed to be murdered following witchcraft accusations.
Those who make the claims with none proof consider that these they accuse are chargeable for both a demise of a member of the family, illness or misfortune.
Giving his ruling, Decide Usman Na’abba mentioned the the prosecution had confirmed its case in opposition to the 5 males past affordable doubt.
The prosecutor, Abba Sorondiki, mentioned he hoped the judgement would deter others from making wrongful accusations after which taking issues into their very own palms.
The court docket heard that the sufferer was murdered after the sick spouse of one of many accused, Abdulaziz Yahaya, had a dream that she was being pursued by Ms Abubakar, who was holding a knife.
Yahaya then organised a bunch to confront Ms Abubakar, which resulted in her homicide.
“There have been comparable instances like this however that is the primary time we’re seeing as much as 5 folks sentenced to demise for homicide over wrongful witchcraft accusation,” Mr Sorondiki informed the BBC.
The sufferer’s son, Musa Yahaya, mentioned that the day his mom was killed was the worst day of his life and that he was happy to see justice being served.
“I’m glad as a result of they might get the identical remedy they meted out to my mom,” he mentioned.
Defence lawyer Ma’aruf Yakasai mentioned his shoppers plan to enchantment in opposition to the decision.
The demise penalty is never carried out in Nigeria and people convicted typically spend the remainder of their lives in jail on demise row.