Zamfara High Court Sentences Two to Death for Brutal Murder, Cannibalism

The Zamfara State High Court 1 has handed down death sentences by hanging to two men, Abdulshakur Tukur and Abdullahi Buba, following their conviction for conspiracy and the gruesome murder of young Ahmad Yakubu.

Delivering the landmark judgment, the Chief Judge of Zamfara State, Justice Kulu Isa Aliyu, stated that the verdict was reached after a rigorous evaluation of the case files, evidence, and testimonies from both the prosecution and the defense.

The court found the duo guilty of murdering the victim in the Barakallahu neighborhood of Gusau town on December 13, 2021. Beyond the murder, the convicts carried out unspeakable acts, harvesting the victim's throat, tongue, eyes, and genitals.

Culpable Homicide: Sentenced to death by hanging under Section 221 of the Penal Code.

Criminal Conspiracy: Sentenced to a seven-year correctional term under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

Speaking to MEDIA SMARTS NIGERIA after the court session, Zamfara State Prosecuting Counsel Kabiru Samaila (SK Samaila) expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting that the compelling evidence tendered by the prosecution successfully secured the conviction.

Meanwhile, defense counsel Zakari Abubakar acknowledged the peaceful conduct of the trial but noted that his legal team would thoroughly review the judgment to explore options for a potential appeal.

The ruling also brought clarity to the legal standing of other individuals initially linked to the chilling case:

Aminu Baba: The suspect accused of purchasing the harvested body parts was officially struck from the case after passing away while in detention at the correctional facility, while Ahmad Tukur, Previously accused of luring the victim to the Barakallahu crime scene, he was completely acquitted and discharged due to a lack of compelling evidence connecting him to the offense.

This ruling brings a measure of legal closure to a horrifying case that first shocked the nation in January 2022.

During the initial arraignment before Chief Magistrate Sa’adu Garba Gurbin-Bore, police prosecutor SP Jafar Abubakar charged the suspects with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and cannibalism under Sections 97, 218, and 221 of the Penal Code.

While three minor suspects confessed to the charges during the preliminary proceedings, adult suspects Aminu Baba and Abdul initially pleaded not guilty, leading to their referral to the High Sharia Court and subsequent remand at the Gusau Correctional Center until this final verdict was reached.