In a significant ruling, five men in Kano state, Nigeria, have been sentenced to death for the 2023 murder of Dahare Abubakar, targeted due to witchcraft allegations. The case has ignited discussions about the lethal consequences of such accusations in rural communities.
Death Sentences Delivered in Kano Over Witchcraft-Related Murder
Death Sentences Delivered in Kano Over Witchcraft-Related Murder
Five men receive death sentences for the murder of a woman accused of witchcraft in Nigeria, sparking national debate on rural superstitions and justice.
Article text:
In a landmark decision, a Kano state court in Nigeria has sentenced five men to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a 67-year-old woman accused of witchcraft. The victim, Dahare Abubakar, was assaulted on her farm, where she was beaten and stabbed to death after one of the accused, Abdulaziz Yahaya, claimed to have seen her in a disturbing dream.
This case, which unfolded in 2023, received widespread attention, bringing light to the dangerous impact of witchcraft accusations in some rural Nigerian communities. Following the incident, the victim’s family promptly contacted the authorities, leading to the swift arrest of the suspects in a village located about 45 kilometers from Kano, Nigeria's largest northern city.
Judge Usman Na'abba presided over the proceedings, confirming that the prosecution had established its case with unquestionable evidence. The prosecutor, Abba Sorondiki, expressed his hope that this ruling would serve as a deterrent against future wrongful accusations and vigilantism tied to such beliefs.
According to the court records, the lady’s murder was instigated by a dream experienced by Yahaya’s ailing wife, in which she imagined being chased by Abubakar while brandishing a knife. Following this, Yahaya orchestrated a group attack. Mr. Sorondiki noted that although similar accusations have led to violence before, this is the first instance of a quintet receiving death sentences for a witchcraft-related killing.
Musa Yahaya, the victim's son, conveyed his grief and relief at seeing justice served, stating that the day his mother was killed marked the darkest chapter of his life. He expressed satisfaction with the court's ruling, expressing hope that the accused will receive the same fate that befell his mother.
Defense attorney Ma'aruf Yakasai announced plans to appeal the verdict. Remarkably, despite the sentencing, Nigeria infrequently enforces the death penalty, and many condemned individuals often end up spending their remaining years on death row without execution.
As communal fears and accusations continue to fuel violence in rural areas, this case serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need for justice and awareness surrounding superstitions that can culminate in tragic outcomes.
In a landmark decision, a Kano state court in Nigeria has sentenced five men to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a 67-year-old woman accused of witchcraft. The victim, Dahare Abubakar, was assaulted on her farm, where she was beaten and stabbed to death after one of the accused, Abdulaziz Yahaya, claimed to have seen her in a disturbing dream.
This case, which unfolded in 2023, received widespread attention, bringing light to the dangerous impact of witchcraft accusations in some rural Nigerian communities. Following the incident, the victim’s family promptly contacted the authorities, leading to the swift arrest of the suspects in a village located about 45 kilometers from Kano, Nigeria's largest northern city.
Judge Usman Na'abba presided over the proceedings, confirming that the prosecution had established its case with unquestionable evidence. The prosecutor, Abba Sorondiki, expressed his hope that this ruling would serve as a deterrent against future wrongful accusations and vigilantism tied to such beliefs.
According to the court records, the lady’s murder was instigated by a dream experienced by Yahaya’s ailing wife, in which she imagined being chased by Abubakar while brandishing a knife. Following this, Yahaya orchestrated a group attack. Mr. Sorondiki noted that although similar accusations have led to violence before, this is the first instance of a quintet receiving death sentences for a witchcraft-related killing.
Musa Yahaya, the victim's son, conveyed his grief and relief at seeing justice served, stating that the day his mother was killed marked the darkest chapter of his life. He expressed satisfaction with the court's ruling, expressing hope that the accused will receive the same fate that befell his mother.
Defense attorney Ma'aruf Yakasai announced plans to appeal the verdict. Remarkably, despite the sentencing, Nigeria infrequently enforces the death penalty, and many condemned individuals often end up spending their remaining years on death row without execution.
As communal fears and accusations continue to fuel violence in rural areas, this case serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need for justice and awareness surrounding superstitions that can culminate in tragic outcomes.
