A Kano State High Court on Friday sentenced Fadila Adamu, a housewife, to death by hanging after finding her guilty of kidnapping an eight-year-old girl and subsequently causing the child’s death by throwing her into a well.
The court convicted Adamu, a resident of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters in Kano, on charges of kidnapping and culpable homicide.
Justice Yusuf Muhammad-Ubale, who delivered the verdict, stated that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“I hereby sentence the defendant to death by hanging for kidnapping and throwing the victim into a well, resulting in her death,” Justice Muhammad-Ubale declared.
The prosecution, led by counsel Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, explained that the crime took place on July 14, 2019, at Tudun Wada Quarters in Kano. At approximately 4:45 p.m., Adamu abducted the young girl and took her to her home.
Abba-Sorondinki revealed that the defendant had told her sister that the deceased was the daughter of a friend who had traveled to Ghana and asked her to keep the child until the mother returned.
However, on July 17, 2019, at about 6:30 p.m., Adamu threw the girl into a deep well in Tukuntawa Quarters, Kano, leading to her death.
The prosecution presented a total of seven witnesses, including the defendant’s statements and a medical report confirming the victim’s death. Despite the evidence, Adamu denied the charges.
The court found the defendant’s actions to be in violation of Sections 274(b) and 221(a) of the Penal Code, which relate to kidnapping and culpable homicide.
In defense, Adamu’s counsel, Zulaihat Tata, called four witnesses, including the defendant, to testify on her behalf.
