Kano govt opens case against alleged mosque arsonist

The Kano State Government on Tuesday, opened its case before an Upper Shari’a Court, against the alleged mosque arsonist, Shafi’u Abubakar.

Abubakar, who lives in Gezawa Local Government Kano, is charged with culpable homicide and attempted murder, causing grievous hurt and mischief by fire.

The offences are said to have contravened the provisions of sections 140, 148, 167 and 370 of Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law 2000.

Led in evidence, the Prosecution counsel and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Kano State Ministry of Justice, Salisu Tahir, presented four witnesses.

Plaintiff Witness One, PW1, Abdulaziz Yahaya, who is a Ward Head of Gadan Larabar Abasawa Village, told the court that on May 15, at about 5:45am after prayer, he was informed that a mosque had been set on fire.

“On reaching the scene, I saw many people outside with burns and we rushed them to the Sir Muhammad Sunusi Hospital Kano. They were later transferred to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital for treatment.

“23 people died while receiving treatment. The defendant surrendered himself to the Gezawa Police Division.

“I was in a mosque in front of my house when the incident happened.”

Also testifying, Aminu Abubakar, an older brother to the defendant, informed the court that he was called on May 15, at about 5:15am and was told that there was a problem.

“Our father died 15 years ago and his property was shared with us.

“The defendant had a misunderstanding with our late father’s younger brothers. He hit them on the head and inflicted injuries on them.

“The defendant took himself to the Hotoro Police Station and I was advised to take him to the Dawanau Psychiatric Hospital Kano for treatment and he was confirmed to be mentally stable.”

Abubakar told the court that their mother sold her farm and gave the defendant N300,000 to buy a tricycle for business, as he requested.

Also, the PW3, Shu’aibu Ibrahim testified that the defendant set the mosque on fire with petrol after the first raka’at prayer.

Also testifying, Ibrahim Salisu, 23, said that after the incident, he ran out of the mosque to seek help.

The defence counsel, Malam Hasiya Muhammad-Imam, cross-examined the Pw1-Pw4.

The presiding judge, Malam Halhalatu Zakariyya, adjourned the matter until Sept.24, for the continuation of cross-examination.

The defendant allegedly poured petrol and set fire to a mosque in Gadan Larabar Abasawa village of Gezawa local government area of Kano State and locked the doors, trapping 23 worshippers in a burning fire during subhi (Dawn) prayer on May 15, at about 5:15am.

Authorities said 23 people sustained various degrees of injuries.

On the same day at about 5:15am, the police alleged that the defendant attempted to kill Shu’aibu Ibrahim and Ibrahim Sani when he poured petrol and set fire on them.

The defendant had pleaded guilty to all the charges.