The Kano State High Court on Tuesday sentenced a 25-year-old man, Bara’u Sa’idu, to 20 years’ imprisonment for killing his 64-year-old uncle following a dispute over farmland.

Mr Sa’idu, a resident of Jarimawa village in Bagwai Local Government Area, had pleaded not guilty to a one-count charge of culpable homicide.

The prosecution, led by Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, called four witnesses and tendered exhibits to prove its case.

According to the prosecution, the offence occurred on August 7, 2021, in Jarimawa village.

Mr Abba-Sorondinki told the court that at about 6:00 a.m. on that date, Mr Sa’idu struck his uncle, Magaji Yusuf, on the head with a stick during a fight arising from a farmland misunderstanding.

“The deceased sustained severe head injuries, including the loss of one eye, which led to his death,” he said.

He added that the act contravened Section 221 of the Penal Code Law.

In his defence, Mr Sa’idu claimed he did not intend to kill his uncle.

“I was trying to defend myself; that was why I hit him with a stick,” he said.

The defence counsel, Dele Olaniyan, urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

Justice Maryam Sabo found the defendant guilty, holding that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

She sentenced Mr Sa’idu to 20 years’ imprisonment pursuant to Section 225 of the Penal Code Law on unintentional homicide.

(NAN)