Jigawa Court Hands Down Death Sentence to Two Kidnappers
In a significant judgment, the Jigawa State High Court No. 8 has sentenced two kidnappers, Sani Mohammed and Babannan Saleh (alias Ustaz), to death by hanging for their roles in abduction, robbery, and conspiracy.
Justice Mohammed Kaugama’s judgment, delivered on Tuesday, came in response to a series of high-profile kidnappings in Jigawa State. The court found the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the convicts’ sentences, upholding justice in the face of escalating kidnappings.
“The convicts are hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the offence of abduction,” stated Justice Kaugama, referring to Section 27 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law No. 2 of Jigawa State, 2021.
“The sentences for robbery and criminal conspiracy will also be served concurrently with life imprisonment and three years, respectively,” he added.
In a separate case involving Babannan Saleh, the court heard testimonies from 10 witnesses.
Saleh was found guilty of abduction, culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, and trespass.
He received the death penalty for abduction and culpable homicide, along with 10 and three-year prison sentences for the other offences.
The convicts were linked to a string of kidnappings across the region.
According to the Director of Protocol and Publicity for the Jigawa Judiciary, Abbas Wangara, the convicts were involved in multiple high-profile cases.
“In one instance, the convicts abducted Hamidan Abdu from Shangel Village in Ringim Local Government Area, robbing him of an unspecified amount and demanding a ransom of N20 million.
“They were also involved in the abduction of Mr. Eze Viginus Emmanuel from his shop in Kore Village, Danbatta Local Government Area, Kano State, where they received a ransom of N14.65 million before releasing him,” he said.
Babannan Saleh (alias Ustaz) faced further charges for his role in a case of abduction and murder.
He was convicted of abducting Abdullahi Jarma from Maigatari Town, Jigawa State, and demanding a ransom of N100 million.
“After lengthy negotiations, Abdullahi Jarma’s family paid N2.5 million, which was handed to Ahmed Nadabo for delivery to the kidnappers,” Wangara explained.
“Tragically, the kidnappers shot and killed Nadabo during the ransom exchange,” he added.
Additionally, Saleh was convicted of kidnapping Alhaji Kabiru Taura from Taura Town, Jigawa State, and demanding N20 million for his release.
