Court Sentences Man to Death for Killing Pregnant Stepmother, Sister in Kano

A Kano High Court has sentenced 22-year-old Sagir Rijiyar-Zaki to death by hanging for the brutal murder of his pregnant stepmother and eight-year-old stepsister.

The tragic incident occurred on January 7, 2023, at Rijiyar Zaki Quarters in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State. According to the prosecution, Rijiyar-Zaki stabbed his 25-year-old stepmother, Rabiatu Sagir, in the neck with a screwdriver during a dispute. He then used a scarf to strangle his young stepsister, Munawara, to death.

The case was prosecuted by Mr. Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, who presented two witnesses and submitted several exhibits to support the charges against the defendant. Despite Rijiyar-Zaki denying involvement in the killings, the court found the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

In delivering the judgment on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu convicted Rijiyar-Zaki of culpable homicide and sentenced him to death by hanging, in accordance with Section 221(a) of the Penal Code Law of Kano, 1991.

The convict, a resident of Kutama Village in Gwarzo Local Government Area, had testified in his own defence, represented by Defence Counsel Mr. Mubarak Abubakar.