A Shariah court in Kano State sentenced Shafiu Abubakar to death by hanging for starting a fire that caused the deaths of worshippers at a mosque in Gadan Village, Gezawa local government area.
The fire happened during early morning prayers on May 15, 2024.
The fire initially claimed the lives of 11 people, and 12 more later died from injuries at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.
Abubakar was charged with culpable homicide, attempted homicide, causing serious injury, and mischief by fire under Kano State’s Sharia law.
On May 26, 2025, the court found him guilty of all the charges. Besides the death sentence, he was ordered to receive 150 lashes in two rounds and pay a fine of 1,500.
The court also directed that his motorcycle be taken by the state government, with the money from its sale going to repair the mosque.
The case started in May 2024 when Abubakar pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of 11 people.
The charges were updated in July 2024 to include more counts.
The prosecution called seven witnesses, including the village head and a police officer from Gezawa police station, to give evidence during the trial.
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