A court in Kano State, Nigeria, has sentenced five men to death by hanging for the brutal murder of 67-year-old Dahare Abubakar, whom they falsely accused of witchcraft.
The ruling, delivered by Judge Usman Na’abba, marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s legal history as it tackles violence fueled by superstition and wrongful accusations.
The tragic incident occurred in 2023 when the convicted men attacked Ms. Abubakar while she was working on her farm. She was beaten and stabbed to death after being accused of practicing witchcraft.
The court heard that the accusation stemmed from a dream experienced by the wife of one of the convicts, Abdulaziz Yahaya. In her dream, she was allegedly being pursued by Ms. Abubakar, who was holding a knife. Acting on this dream, Yahaya gathered a group to confront the elderly woman, ultimately leading to her murder.
Following the attack, Ms. Abubakar’s family reported the crime to the authorities. The suspects were quickly apprehended in a village 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Kano, the largest city in northern Nigeria.
The case gained national attention, sparking discussions about how wrongful witchcraft accusations continue to result in violence, particularly in rural areas. Delivering his verdict, Judge Usman Na’abba stated that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
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Prosecutor Abba Sorondiki expressed hope that the ruling would serve as a deterrent against similar acts of mob justice.
“There have been similar cases like this, but this is the first time we are seeing up to five people sentenced to death for murder over wrongful witchcraft accusation,” Sorondiki told the BBC.
For the victim’s son, Musa Yahaya, the verdict brought a sense of justice. “The day my mother was killed was the worst day of my life. I am happy because they would get the same treatment they meted out to my mother,” he said.
However, defense lawyer Ma’aruf Yakasai announced that his clients plan to appeal the ruling.
While the death penalty is legal in Nigeria, it is rarely carried out. Many convicted individuals spend years, sometimes decades, on death row without execution. This case’s ruling may set a precedent in addressing mob killings linked to witchcraft accusations in rural communities.
Source:
3news.com
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