KANO — Kano State High Court No. 5, sitting at the Audu Bako Secretariat and presided over by Justice Aisha Mahmud Ibrahim, has sentenced Tahir Tanimu to death by hanging after finding him guilty of culpable homicide.

The judgment follows the prosecution of Tanimu alongside a second defendant, Joseph Martins, over the 2023 murder of Shamsu Yakubu during a violent political clash at Unguwa Uku in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State.

Court Rulings and Suspended Sentence

Delivering judgment on the charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide filed by the Kano State Government, Justice Aisha Mahmud Ibrahim outlined distinct decisions for the two convicts:

• Death Sentence for Primary Convict: Tahir Tanimu was found guilty of culpable homicide and sentenced to death by hanging.
• Suspended Sentence for Second Defendant: In the case of Joseph Martins, the court suspended sentencing due to his young age, noting that the court will await executive decision and action from the Governor of Kano State regarding his juvenile status.

Prosecution and Trial Evidence

During the trial, the prosecution team led by Kano State Counsel, Barrister Lamido Abba Soron Dinki, called four witnesses to establish the charges.

Court proceedings established that during the 2023 political clash in Unguwa Uku, the deceased, Shamsu Yakubu, suffered a fatal stab wound to his chest, which resulted in his death. Both defendants gave evidence in their own defense before the court concluded trial and delivered its verdict.

Deceased’s Family Reacts

Following the court session, the father of the deceased, Yakubu Shehu (Bauchi), expressed his perspective on the judgment, acknowledging the court’s decision after a long trial process seeking justice for his late son.

Case Summary Matrix

  COURT:               Kano State High Court No. 5 (Audu Bako Secretariat)
  PRESIDING JUDGE:     Justice Aisha Mahmud Ibrahim
  PROSECUTION COUNSEL: Barrister Lamido Abba Soron Dinki (Kano State Counsel)
  CONVICTS:            Tahir Tanimu (Sentenced to death by hanging) | Joseph Martins (Sentence suspended due to age)
  VICTIM:              Shamsu Yakubu (Stabbed in chest during 2023 political clash in Unguwa Uku)
  EXECUTIVE ACTION:    Awaiting decision by the Governor of Kano State regarding Joseph Martins