The trial of Shafiu Abubakar, the alleged orchestrator of the Kano mosque arson that led to the deaths of 19 worshippers, has been adjourned to July 18 and 19, 2024.
The adjournment was necessary due to the police’s failure to update the case diary with the additional names of victims who succumbed to injuries from the incident.
The 38-year-old Abubakar, a resident of Gadan Village in Gezawa Local Government Area, is facing trial at the Kano Upper Shari’a Court in Rijiyar Zaki.
Initially, Abubakar was charged with setting the mosque on fire, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals and injuring several others. However, the prosecution, led by Barrister Salisu Tahir, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Kano State Ministry of Justice, informed the court that the death toll had risen to 19. Consequently, they requested additional time to update the charge sheet and present witnesses.
“We seek another date to enable us to file a new charge to add the exact number of victims and present our witnesses before the court,” Tahir stated.
According to the prosecution, Abubakar allegedly used petrol to start the fire at the mosque in Gadan Village during dawn prayers on May 15, around 5:15 a.m. The ensuing fire caused severe injuries to many, who were subsequently rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano. The affected persons died while receiving treatment.
The defendant has pleaded guilty to three charges: mischief by fire, causing grievous hurt, and culpable homicide, violations under Sections 336, 247, and 221 of the Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law.
Defense counsel Barrister Asiya Muhammad Imam from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria requested the updated charges from the prosecution. Consequently, the presiding judge, Malam Halhalatul Huza’i Zakariyya, adjourned the case to July 18 and 19 for further hearing.
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