Two men, Adamu Aliyu, 22, and Mubarak Abdulsalam, 20, have been condemned to death by hanging by a Kano State High Court for the murder of their boss, Dahiru Musa, 32.
Channels TV reported that the court also sentenced a third defendant, Sadiq Sunusi, 19, to seven years jail for aiding the crime and burning the corpse of the dead.
Aliyu, of Gaida Yan Kusa Quarters, Kano, and Abdulsalam, of Mandawari Quarters, were found guilty on two charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, while Sunusi was convicted on one count of abetment.
Justice Fatima Adamu in her ruling on Monday said the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge condemned the defendants’ act, particularly the murdering and later burning of the deceased body to destroy evidence, as brutal and wicked.
The prosecuting counsel, Salisu Muhammad-Tahir, who is also the Solicitor-General of Kano State, had told the court that the offence was committed on September 29, 2024, at Gaida Yan Kusa Quarters, Kano.
He said the duo of Aliyu and Abdulsalam conspired to assassinate Musa who was Aliyu’s employer by poisoning him with rat poison before stabbing him severally with knives.
Muhammad-Tahir also told the court that on September 30, 2024 at approximately 6 p.m, Sunusi took Abdulsalam to Gaida Quarters where they bought fuel before going to an uncompleted structure.
Abdulsalam used the petrol to burn the corpse, and Sunusi, who recognised it was a human body, did not report the occurrence to the authorities.
The prosecution also presented evidence including knives, confessional statements and a video along with five witnesses to prove their case against the accused.
He was charged with crimes under Sections 97, 221 and 86 of the Penal Code.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the accusations.
They were called to give evidence by their lawyer Mustafa Idris who begged for leniency and asked the court to temper justice with mercy.
The offenders were reportedly given 90 days by the judge to appeal if they were displeased with the ruling.
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