A Kano State High Court has sentenced a 19-year-old woman, Saudat Jibrin, to death by hanging for the murder of her husband, Salisu Idris, barely nine days after their wedding.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Maryam Sabo held that the prosecution established the charge of culpable homicide beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge sentenced Jibrin to death by hanging and informed her that she has 90 days to appeal the judgment.
The prosecution, led by Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that the incident occurred on May 5, 2025, at Farawa Quarters in Kano.
According to the prosecution, Jibrin served her 30-year-old husband a bottle of “Zobo” drink allegedly laced with a harmful substance before attacking him with a knife and cutting his throat. Idris died from the injuries.
Two prosecution witnesses testified during the trial to support the case against the defendant.
Jibrin denied the allegation and testified in her own defence.
Her counsel, Abdulfatah Muhammad, urged the court to show mercy, arguing that she had undergone personal reform while in custody, including memorising the Holy Qur’an. He also appealed to the court to consider that she was the eldest child of her family and that her younger siblings depended on her.
However, the court found her guilty under Section 221(a) of the Penal Code and sentenced her to death by hanging.
Background
The case attracted widespread attention in Kano after Idris was killed less than two weeks after marrying Jibrin in April 2025. Investigators alleged that the newlywed poisoned his drink before fatally attacking him with a knife inside their home in Farawa Quarters.
Following her arrest, Jibrin was charged with culpable homicide and remained in custody throughout the trial.
After several months of proceedings, during which both the prosecution and defence presented their evidence, the High Court ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to Thursday’s conviction and death sentence.
(The Whistler)