Court of Appeal Upholds Death Sentence for Kebbi Woman in Ex-Husband’s Murder Case

The Court of Appeal has affirmed the death sentence of Farida Abubakar for the murder of her former husband, Chief Magistrate Attahiru Muhammad-Ibrahim.

Abubakar was found guilty of stabbing her ex-husband multiple times—targeting his abdomen, neck, and left arm—on the night of August 25, 2022, leading to his death, according to reports.

A Kebbi State High Court initially sentenced her to death by hanging in June 2024. On Monday, January 5, 2025, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Tunde Awotoye, unanimously dismissed her appeal in case No. CA/S/75C/2025, upholding the High Court’s judgment.

“The appeal lacks merit. The conviction and sentence of the appellant as delivered by the High Court of Kebbi State on 03/06/2024 are hereby affirmed,” the court ruled.

Abubakar was represented by lawyer A. N. Salau, while the prosecution was led by Zainab Muhammad Jabbo of the Kebbi State Ministry of Justice. During the trial, the prosecution presented 12 witnesses and several exhibits, including Abubakar’s extra-judicial statement and other circumstantial evidence linking her to the crime.

The appellate court confirmed that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, supporting the trial court’s reliance on the “last seen” doctrine. Although Abubakar’s statements were not treated as confessions, the court found that all essential elements of the offenses were established.

In addition to the death sentence under Section 191(b) of the Kebbi State Penal Code, Abubakar was also sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment under Section 224(1) for causing grievous hurt.

She has filed a further appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision.