By Paul Joseph
The Kano State Government has re-arraigned three suspects before a State High Court over the alleged murder of a housewife, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters of Kano.
The defendants Umar Auwalu (23), Isyaku Yakubu (40), and Yakubu Abdulaziz (21) are facing a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy, culpable homicide, and armed robbery.
Prosecuting counsel and Solicitor-General of the state, Salisu Muhammad-Tahir, told the court that the alleged offences were committed on January 17, 2026.
According to the prosecution, the suspects, armed with sticks, an iron rod, and a cutlass, allegedly trespassed into the residence of the deceased at about 11:30 a.m., robbed her of mobile phones, and inflicted injuries that led to her death.
The prosecution further alleged that the six children of the victim also lost their lives during the attack.
During proceedings, Auwalu reported to be a nephew of the deceased pleaded guilty to parts of the charges but denied involvement in other aspects, while the two co-defendants pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution applied for a summary trial for the first defendant and indicated readiness to call witnesses against the others. Defence counsel, K.I. Abdulkadir, urged the court to compel the prosecution to fully prove its case.
Presiding judge, Nasiru Saminu, ruled that under criminal law, a not-guilty plea must be entered regardless of any admission, directing the prosecution to proceed with full proof of evidence. The case was adjourned to April 22 for hearing.
In a related development, the state government also re-arraigned four defendants over the alleged rape and killing of a nine-year-old girl, Hafsat Auwal, in Kumbotso Local Government Area.
The suspects Umar Auwalu, Yakubu Dayyabu, Isyaku Yakubu, and Umar Ali are facing charges of conspiracy, culpable homicide, rape, and abetment over an incident said to have occurred on September 11, 2025.
All defendants pleaded not guilty. The court ordered their remand in a correctional facility and adjourned the matter to April 27 and 28 for hearing.
Justice Saminu also fixed April 20 for arraignment in another case involving alleged robbery and the killing of two women in Tudun Yola Quarters in November 2025, as proceedings continue across multiple linked cases.
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