Court Sentences Man to Death for Kano Mosque Arson That Killed 23 Worshippers

A 38-year-old man, Shafi’u Abubakar, has been sentenced to death by hanging by an Upper Shari’a Court in Kano State for setting fire to a mosque in Gezawa Local Government Area, resulting in the deaths of 23 worshippers. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of May 15, 2024, at Gadan Larabar Abasawa Village.

Presiding over the case, trial judge Malam Halhalatu Khuza’i-Zakariyya delivered the verdict on Monday, declaring Abubakar guilty on four counts: culpable homicide, attempted murder, causing grievous hurt, and mischief by fire. In addition to the death sentence, the court also imposed 150 strokes of cane—100 for attempted murder and 50 for mischief—along with a fine of N1,500 for causing grievous hurt.

The judge accepted circumstantial evidence, including witness testimony and visible burn injuries on Abubakar, linking him to the arson. “The court admits the testimony of Pw4, Ibrahim Salisu, who stated he saw the defendant running away from the mosque. This, along with the burns on the defendant’s hands, confirms his involvement,” the judge said.

As part of the ruling, the court also ordered the confiscation and sale of Abubakar’s tricycle to support repairs of the damaged mosque. The defendant has been granted a 30-day window to appeal the judgment.

During the trial, the Prosecution Counsel and Director of Public Prosecution for Kano State, Salisu Tahir, stated that Abubakar entered the mosque between 5:05 am and 5:20 am while worshippers were in prayer. He then poured petrol inside and ignited a fire, leading to multiple casualties. Tahir added that Abubakar also attempted to kill two individuals, Shu’aibu Ibrahim and Ibrahim Sani, by setting fire around them.

Seven witnesses were presented during the trial, along with Abubakar’s confessional statements in both English and Hausa and photographs of the victims. The prosecution noted that the offences violated Sections 142, 148, 168, and 370 of the Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law, 2000.

Abubakar pleaded guilty to all charges. His defence counsel, Hasiya Muhammad-Imam, requested leniency and asked that he be transferred to the Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Janguza.