By Hadiza Mohammed, Northern Operation
A Kano State High Court has sentenced a 19-year-old housewife, Saudat Jibrin, to death by hanging after finding her guilty of murdering her husband, Salisu Idris, just nine days after their wedding.
Jibrin, a resident of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, was convicted of culpable homicide in connection with the killing of her 30-year-old husband.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Maryam Sabo held that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“I hereby sentence Saudat Jibrin to death by hanging for culpable homicide. You have 90 days to appeal,” the judge ruled.
During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that the incident occurred on May 5, 2025, at Farawa Quarters in Kano.
According to the prosecutor, Jibrin allegedly laced her husband’s “Zoho” drink before slashing his throat with a knife at about 9 p.m., only nine days after the couple got married.
Abba-Sorondinki called two witnesses to support the prosecution’s case, arguing that the evidence presented proved the defendant’s guilt.
However, Jibrin denied committing the offence throughout the trial.
The prosecution maintained that her actions contravened Section 221(a) of the Penal Code, which prescribes the death penalty for culpable homicide.
In her defence, Jibrin testified on her own behalf through her counsel, Abdulfatah Muhammad, who pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
Muhammad told the court that his client had become a changed person during her time in custody, noting that she had memorised the Holy Qur’an while awaiting trial.
He also urged the court to consider her family circumstances, stating that she is the eldest child of her parents and that her younger siblings depend on her for their survival.
Despite the plea for leniency, the court found her guilty and imposed the death sentence by hanging, while informing her of her right to appeal the judgment within 90 days.
