A school proprietor, Abdulmalik Tanko, who confessed to murder of his pupil, Hanifa Abubakar (5), has been sentenced to death by hanging by a Kano State High Court.
The presiding judge, Justice Usman Nababa, also sentenced Tanko, who owns Noble Kids College, to death with his accomplice, Hashim Isyaku.
Tanko (38), Isyaku (38) and the third accused person, Fatima Musa, were arraigned before the Kano State High Court on a five-count charge of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, confinement, and culpable homicide contrary to sections 97, 274, 277, 221 of the penal code.
While Tanko and Isyaku were sentenced to five years each for conspiracy, Musa was sentenced to one year imprisonment for conspiracy and another one year for an attempt to commit a felony.
During the court trial, the prosecution team led by Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Musa Lawan, called eight witnesses and tendered fourteen exhibits.
Tanko, who kidnapped and killed Hanifa, on December 4, 2021 while returning from school and subsequently buried her in a shallow grave, confessed to the crime.
He said he kidnapped and killed the five year old girl with N100 rat poison but later withdrew his confessional statement.
