Abubakar Abdulsalam, the father of the murdered five-year-old pupil of Nobel Kids College in Kano State, Hanifa Abubakar, has expressed satisfaction over the sentencing of the proprietor of the school, Abdulmalik Muhammad Tanko, for killing the girl.

A Kano State High Court had, on Thursday, sentenced Tanko alongside two others to death by hanging for kidnapping and killing the five-year-old pupil.

38-year-old Tanko and two others, Hashimu Isyaku, 37, and Fatima Jibrin, 26, were sentenced to death on four count charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, confinement, and culpable homicide contrary to sections 97, 274, 277, 221 of Kano State Penal Code 1991.

Speaking to newsmen after the judgement was delivered on Thursday, the father of the murdered pupil said he was delighted that justice was served on the case.

Abdulsalam said he believed the Nigerian justice system remains the last hope of the common man.

He further commended the Kano State Government, saying: “I am happy that finally justice prevailed. I am equally happy that the justice system in Nigeria is working. I thank Kano State Government for standing for justice.”

Hanifa’s mother, Murja Abubakar, who burst into tears after the judge delivered judgment, said: “Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah” meaning “praise to God, praise to God.”

She, however, declined to make any further comment despite efforts from the journalists.

The Star had earlier reported that Kano State Government had Tanko alongside his accomplice friend, Hashimu, and Tanko’s girlfriend, Fatima Jibrin, for the above charges.

The prosecuting counsel, who is also the Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Barr. A. M. Lawan, prayed the court to give maximum sentence to the accused because of the emotional trauma they put the parents of the girl.

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Delivering judgement, Justice Usman Na’abba ruled that the prosecuting counsel proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants criminally conspired to abduct and murder Hanifa.

Tanko, a proprietor of Noble Kids Comprehensive College and NorthWest Preparatory School, kidnapped the five-year-old pupil on December 4, 2021.

According to Justice Na’abba, the court relied on direct evidence, confessional statements, and circumstantial evidence to deliver the judgement.

“The defence counsel did not contradict or challenge the submission of the prosecuting counsel,” the presiding judge said.

Na’abba sentenced the first defendant, Tanko, to death by hanging for the murder and 5 years jail term for kidnapping.

The second defendant, Hashimu Isyaku, was sentenced to death for murder and 3 and 2 years imprisonment for concealment and conspiracy, respectively.

The third defendant Fatima Jibrin, according to the Judge, because of her situation as a nursing mother, was sentenced to one year imprisonment for attempted kidnapping and another one year for criminal conspiracy.

Fatima was, however, discharged and acquitted for abatement.

Justice Na’abba said the evidence 11, 12, and 13 presented against the defendants were reliable as they proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused perpetrated the crime.

The defence counsel, on behalf of the defendants, Barr Asiya Mohammed, had earlier on behalf of the convicted persons pleaded with the Court to tamper justice with mercy as the duo of Tanko and Isyaku were the breadwinners of their respective families.

On his part, the prosecuting counsel, who described the crime as “heinous crime against humanity” urged the court to tamper justice with “justice” as the parents of the little Hanifa only wish to have justice served.

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, had earlier told journalists in the beginning of the trial that he would not hesitate to sign death penalty against the accused should the Court found them guilty.

The Star