The Kano High Court on Monday sentenced two men, Aliyu Hussaini and Amir Zakariyya, to death by hanging for stabbing Buhari Imam, a lecturer with the Northwest University, Kano, to death with a knife.

Mr Hussaini of Sheka Sabuwar Abuja Quarters and Zakariyya of Unguwar Malam Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area, were convicted on a three-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide.

Justice Fatima Adamu held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The action of the defendants shows total disregard for human life,” Ms Adamu said. “I hereby sentence the defendants to five years’ imprisonment each for conspiracy and 10 years’ imprisonment each for robbery without an option of fine.”

“The convicts are hereby sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide. May God have mercy on them,” the judge declared

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that the convicts committed the offence on June 11 at Sheka Sabuwar Abuja Quarters, Kano.

He said that at about 3:30 a.m. on the said date, the defendants conspired, armed themselves with dangerous weapons such as long knives and machetes.

“In the process, the defendants robbed the victim (Imam) of his mobile phone and caused his death by stabbing him in the stomach, thigh, and back,” Mr Abba-Sorondinki said.

The prosecution presented three witnesses and tendered medical reports and photographs of the deceased as exhibits to prove their case against the defendant.

The convicts, however, denied committing the offence.

The prosecutor said the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 97(1), 298(c), and 221(a) of the Penal Code Laws of Kano State.

The defence counsel, Haruna Saleh-Zakariyya, presented the convicts to testify in their defence and pleaded for leniency.

(NAN)