A State High Court in Birnin Kebbi has sentenced a 40-year-old man, Bello Musa, to death by hanging for the m8rder of 31-year-old Shamsiyya Usman in a hotel in the state.
According to the prosecution, Musa lodged in a hotel in Birnin Kebbi with the deceased, whom he allegedly poisoned through a soft drink.
He reportedly fled the scene after leaving her body in the room. The police later arrested him following the discovery of the corpse and subsequent investigation.
Musa was arraigned on 22 November 2024 before Hon. Justice Hassan Shehu Kuwa on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and cheating, offences punishable under Sections 60(b), 191(b), and 308 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law 2021.
A second suspect connected to the case remains at large.
Lead counsel for the Ministry of Justice, Barr. Zainab Muhammad Jabbo presented eight witnesses and tendered four exhibits, including the defendant’s statements in Hausa and English obtained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Police Headquarters, Birnin Kebbi.
The defence counsel, Barr. S. K. Mungadi called only the defendant to testify, without presenting additional witnesses.
Delivering judgment, the court held that after considering all the evidence and exhibits, the first defendant was found guilty of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and cheating.
“He is hereby convicted and sentenced to d3ath by hanging for the offences of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, and to five years’ imprisonment for cheating,” the judge ruled.
The court further ordered that the second accused, once apprehended, must be brought before the court to face trial.