A Kano State High Court has sentenced a 19-year-old housewife, Saudat Jibrin, to death by hanging after finding her guilty of the murder of her husband, Salisu Idris, just nine days after their wedding.
Justice Maryam Sabo delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruling that the prosecution had proved the charge of culpable homicide beyond reasonable doubt. The judge also informed the convict of her right to appeal the judgment within 90 days.
“I hereby sentence Saudat Jibrin to death by hanging for culpable homicide. You have 90 days to appeal,” Justice Sabo said while delivering the verdict.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on May 5, 2025, at Farawa Quarters in Kano, about nine days after the couple got married.
The prosecution counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that Jibrin allegedly laced her husband’s Zoho drink before slashing his throat with a knife at about 9 p.m., resulting in his death. He said the offence contravened Section 221(a) of the Penal Code, which prescribes the death penalty for culpable homicide punishable by death.
During the trial, the prosecution called two witnesses and tendered evidence in support of its case. The court held that the evidence presented established the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Jibrin, who resides in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, denied committing the offence when she testified in her defence.
Her counsel, Abdulfatah Muhammad, appealed to the court for leniency, arguing that the defendant had undergone significant personal transformation while in custody. He told the court that she had memorised the Holy Qur’an during her detention and urged the judge to consider her young age and family circumstances.
Muhammad also pleaded that the court take into account that Jibrin is the eldest child of her parents and that her younger siblings depend on her for support.
Despite the plea for mercy, the court convicted Jibrin and imposed the death sentence in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code.
Under Nigerian law, a death sentence handed down by a High Court is subject to the appellate process and cannot be carried out unless it is upheld by higher courts and the necessary legal procedures are completed.
