An Upper Sharia Court in Kano has sentenced 38-year-old Shafi'u Abubakar to death by hanging plus 150 lashes for setting fire to a mosque during dawn prayers, killing 23 worshippers in May 2024.
According to Salisu Tahir, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the Kano State Ministry of Justice, Abubakar poured petrol and ignited the fire at Gadan Larabar Abasawa Village mosque in Gezawa Local Council while victims were praying between 5:05 a.m. and 5:20 a.m.
Sharia Khadi Halhalatu Khuza'i-Zakariyya delivered the verdict, stating:
"The burns on the defendant’s hand prove he committed the offence. We find him guilty on all four counts – culpable homicide, attempted murder, grievous hurt, and mischief by fire."
The court accepted two key witness testimonies:
Ibrahim Salisu (4th witness), who saw Abubakar set the fire and flee.
Abdullahi Sa'idu (police officer), who presented Abubakar’s confessional statement where he pleaded guilty.
Additional Punishments:
N1,500 fine for causing grievous hurt
Confiscation and sale of his tricycle to repair the burnt mosque
Transfer to Janguza Maximum Security Prison (per defense request)
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Defense lawyer Hasiya Muhammad-Imam pleaded for leniency, but the judge upheld the strict Sharia penalties for the deadly arson attack.
This case marks one of Kano’s deadliest religion-related crimes, sparking debates on justice vs. mercy in Nigeria’s dual legal system.
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