The Kano State government presented four witnesses in an Upper Sharia Court against Shafiu Abubakar, who is accused of arson.
The Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, for Kano State, Salisu Tahir, led the presentation of the witnesses during the court session.
Abubakar, 38, faces four charges: culpable homicide, attempted murder, causing grievous harm, and mischief by fire. These charges are said to violate sections 140, 148, 167, and 370 of the Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law 2000.
The first prosecution witness, Abdulaziz Yahaya, 55, the Ward Head of Gadan Larabar Abasawa Village, testified that on May 15, around 5:45 a.m., after morning prayers, he learned that a mosque had been set ablaze.
“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 Gezawa Police Division.
“I was in a mosque in front of my house when the incident happened,” he said.
In addition, PW3, Shu’aibu Ibrahim, 25, testified that the defendant set the mosque on fire using petrol after the first raka’at prayer. PW4, Ibrahim Salisu, 23, described how he fled the mosque to seek help following the incident.
The defense counsel, Malam Hasiya Muhammad, cross-examined PW1 through PW4.
The presiding judge, Halhalatu Zakariyya, adjourned the case until September 24, 2024, for the continuation of the cross-examination.
(Vanguard)
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