A High Court in Birnin Kebbi has sentenced Farida Abubakar to death by hanging for the murder of her former husband, Chief Magistrate Attahiru Muhammad-Ibrahim.
Farida Abubakar was charged with murder on August 25, 2022, and the main charge was filed on July 26, 2023.
The prosecution argued that she stabbed Chief Magistrate Muhammad-Ibrahim in the abdomen, neck, and left arm, leading to his death.
Delivering the judgment, Chief Judge Justice Umar Abubakar stated that the evidence provided by the prosecution convinced the court of the defendant’s guilt.
“The defendant was last seen with the deceased in his house in Birnin Kebbi, and shortly after, he was found dead,” said Justice Umar Abubakar. “Circumstantial evidence linked the defendant to the offence. The burden of proof is on the prosecution to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt within the boundary of evidence adduced.”
Justice Umar Abubakar emphasized that the evidence, including the extra-judicial statement of the accused and testimony from 12 prosecution witnesses, was compelling and irrefutable. “Her Hijab was found smeared with blood. It was her intention to kill him. She knew death would be the consequence of her action.”
He added, “The court is satisfied that it is clearly established that the defendant mercilessly planned and executed the attack with a sharp object to cause death or, at the very least, did not care about the consequences.”
The court convicted Farida Abubakar of culpable homicide and sentenced her to death by hanging, in accordance with Section 191(b) of the Penal Code Law of Kebbi State. Additionally, she received a seven-year prison sentence for causing bodily harm, under Section 224(1) of the same law.
In her defense, counsel Mudashiru Sani, representing Abdulnasir Sallau, described Farida as a first-time offender with aged parents. He highlighted her role as a caregiver to her parents and her young daughter. Sani pleaded for a lighter sentence, arguing that she should have the chance to reform and return to society.
However, the Prosecuting Counsel, Lawal Hudu-Garba, who is also the Director of Public Prosecution in the state Ministry of Justice, urged the court to impose the full sentence to deter others from committing similar crimes.
Following the judgment, defense counsel Sani announced plans to appeal the verdict.
