Jigawa State High Court No. 8 has sentenced two kidnappers, Sani Mohammed, and Babannan Saleh (alias Ustaz), to d3ath by hanging after they were found guilty of abduction, robbery, and criminal conspiracy.
Mohammed and Saleh were convicted for multiple high-profile crimes, including the m8rder of one Ahmed Nadabo, abduction of Hamidan Abdu in Ringim Local Government Area and Mr. Eze Virginus Emmanuel in Kano State.
Delivering the judgment on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, Justice Mohammed Kaugama ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to the convicts’ sentences.
“The convicts are hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the offence of abduction,” stated Justice Kaugama, referring to Section 27 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law No. 2 of Jigawa State, 2021.
“The sentences for robbery and criminal conspiracy will also be served concurrently with life imprisonment and three years, respectively,” he added.
In a separate case involving Babannan Saleh, the court heard testimonies from 10 witnesses.
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Saleh was found guilty of abduction, culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, and trespass.
He received the death penalty for abduction and culpable homicide, along with 10 and three-year prison sentences for the other offences.
The convicts were linked to a string of kidnappings across the region.
According to the Director of Protocol and Publicity for the Jigawa Judiciary, Abbas Wangara, the convicts were involved in multiple high-profile cases.
“In one instance, the convicts abducted Hamidan Abdu from Shangel Village in Ringim Local Government Area, robbing him of an unspecified amount and demanding a ransom of N20 million.
“They were also involved in the abduction of Mr. Eze Viginus Emmanuel from his shop in Kore Village, Danbatta Local Government Area, Kano State, where they received a ransom of N14.65 million before releasing him,” he said.
Babannan Saleh (alias Ustaz) faced further charges for his role in a case of abduction and m8rder.
He was convicted of abducting Abdullahi Jarma from Maigatari Town, Jigawa State, and demanding a ransom of N100 million.
After lengthy negotiations, Abdullahi Jarma’s family paid N2.5 million, which was handed to Ahmed Nadabo for delivery to the kidnappers,” Wangara explained.
“Tragically, the kidnappers shot and killed Nadabo during the ransom exchange,” he added.
Additionally, Saleh was convicted of kidnapping Alhaji Kabiru Taura from Taura Town, Jigawa State, and demanding N20 million for his release.