A Kano High Court has sentenced 19-year-old Saudat Jibrin to death by hanging for the murder of her 30-year-old husband, Salisu Idris, just nine days after their wedding.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Maryam Sabo ruled that the prosecution had proven its case of culpable homicide beyond reasonable doubt. The court granted the convict 90 days to appeal the sentence.
The prosecution, led by Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that Jibrin committed the offence on May 5, 2025, at Farawa Quarters in Kano. At approximately 9:00 p.m., she laced her husband’s “Zoho” drink with a substance and slit his throat with a knife.
Two witnesses were presented to establish the case, which contravenes Section 221(a) of the Penal Code. Although the defendant denied the charges, the court found the evidence compelling.
In her defence, counsel Abdulfatah Muhammad called Jibrin to testify and pleaded for leniency, noting that she had memorised the Holy Qur’an while in custody and was now a changed person. He also urged the court to consider that she is the eldest child and primary breadwinner for her siblings.
Despite these appeals, the court upheld the prosecution’s case and handed down the maximum penalty.
