Kano Court Sentences Two Young Men to Death by Hanging for Murder of Dahiru Musa, Jails Third Defendant for Seven Years
A Kano State High Court has sentenced two young men, Adamu Aliyu, 22, and Mubarak Abdulsalam, 20, to death by hanging for the murder of a 32-year-old man, Dahiru Musa, in a case involving poisoning, stabbing and the burning of the victim’s body.
The court also sentenced a third defendant, Sadiq Sunusi, 19, to seven years’ imprisonment for his involvement in the crime, which occurred in Kano State in September 2024.
Justice Fatima Adamu, who delivered the judgment on Monday, November 2, 2026, held that the prosecution had established its case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
The judgment followed a trial in which the Kano State Government prosecuted the three men on charges connected with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and abetment.
According to details presented during the proceedings, the defendants allegedly conspired to kill Dahiru Musa, who was the employer of the first defendant, Adamu Aliyu.
The prosecution told the court that the two principal defendants poisoned the deceased with rat poison before stabbing him repeatedly with knives.
The incident reportedly happened on September 29, 2024, at Gaida Yan Kusa Quarters in Kano.
Justice Adamu, after considering the evidence presented by the prosecution, found Aliyu and Abdulsalam guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.
The third defendant, Sunusi, was convicted for his role in the events surrounding the destruction of the victim’s body after the killing.
How the Murder Happened
Presenting the prosecution’s case, Kano State Solicitor-General and counsel to the state, Salisu Muhammad-Tahir, explained that the crime was committed through a coordinated operation involving the three defendants.
According to the prosecutor, Aliyu and Abdulsalam allegedly conspired to kill Musa, who was Aliyu’s employer.
The prosecution told the court that the defendants first administered rat poison to the victim before attacking him with knives.
Musa was reportedly stabbed in different parts of his body, resulting in his death.
The prosecution further explained that the defendants subsequently attempted to conceal evidence of the crime by burning the deceased’s body.
According to the account presented in court, the events surrounding the disposal of the body continued on September 30, 2024, the day after the murder.
Muhammad-Tahir told the court that at approximately 6 p.m. on September 30, Sunusi accompanied Abdulsalam to Gaida Quarters, where they purchased petrol.
The two defendants subsequently proceeded to an uncompleted building.
The prosecutor said Abdulsalam used the petrol to set the victim’s body on fire, while Sunusi, who allegedly knew that the remains belonged to a human being, failed to report the incident to the appropriate authorities.
The prosecution maintained that the burning was intended to destroy evidence and conceal the circumstances surrounding Musa’s death.
Court Finds Two Defendants Guilty of Culpable Homicide
In delivering her judgment, Justice Fatima Adamu held that the prosecution had successfully established the allegations against the two principal defendants.
The judge found Aliyu and Abdulsalam guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.
The court considered the evidence presented during the trial, including testimony from prosecution witnesses and exhibits tendered to establish the defendants’ involvement.
Justice Adamu described the conduct of the defendants, particularly the poisoning, stabbing and subsequent burning of the victim’s body, as inhumane and wicked.
She maintained that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, the standard required for criminal convictions.
Following the court’s findings, Aliyu and Abdulsalam were sentenced to death by hanging.
The sentence represents the most severe punishment available under the applicable criminal law for the offence of culpable homicide punishable with death.
Third Defendant Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison
The court also found the third defendant, Sadiq Sunusi, guilty of his involvement in the events that followed the murder.
According to the prosecution, Sunusi accompanied Abdulsalam to purchase petrol, which was subsequently used to burn the deceased’s body.
The prosecution argued that his actions amounted to abetment because he knowingly assisted in activities connected with concealing the crime.
The court consequently sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment.
His sentence was different from the death penalties imposed on Aliyu and Abdulsalam because of the distinct offence for which he was convicted.
The judgment brought the trial to a conclusion at the Kano State High Court, with all three defendants receiving prison sentences for their respective roles in the case.
Prosecution Presents Five Witnesses and Material Evidence
During the trial, the prosecution called five witnesses to support its case against the defendants.
The state also presented several exhibits, including knives allegedly connected to the killing, confessional statements and video evidence.
The prosecution maintained that the evidence established the involvement of the defendants in the murder and the subsequent attempt to conceal the crime.
Muhammad-Tahir told the court that the offences contravened Sections 97, 221 and 86 of the applicable Penal Code.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Their defence counsel, Mustafa Idris, presented them to testify during the proceedings and subsequently appealed to the court to temper justice with mercy.
The lawyer urged the court to consider leniency when determining the appropriate punishment.
However, Justice Adamu ruled that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt and proceeded to convict the defendants.
The details of the proceedings were reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Court Gives Convicts 90 Days to Appeal
Following the judgment, the court informed the convicts that they had 90 days to appeal against the decision if they were dissatisfied with the outcome.
The opportunity to appeal means the defendants can challenge their convictions and sentences before a higher court in accordance with the applicable legal procedures.
It is important to note that the death sentences imposed by the Kano State High Court do not mean that the executions have taken place.
The convictions and sentences remain subject to any appeal that may be filed and the applicable constitutional procedures governing capital punishment in Nigeria.
Murder and Concealment of Crimes Raise Security Concerns
The case has drawn attention to the seriousness of violent crimes and the consequences of attempting to conceal evidence after committing murder.
The circumstances surrounding Musa’s death, particularly the allegations of poisoning, repeated stabbing and the burning of his remains, demonstrate the severity of the crime established during the trial.
The conviction also highlights the responsibility of the criminal justice system to investigate violent offences, gather credible evidence and ensure that individuals found guilty are held accountable.
For the family of Dahiru Musa, the judgment represents an important development in the search for justice following his death in September 2024.
The case also serves as a reminder that disputes involving employment, personal relationships or other disagreements must be addressed through lawful means rather than violence.
With the High Court having delivered its judgment, attention will now turn to whether the convicts exercise their right to appeal within the period granted by the court.
