Court Sentences Abdulshakur Tukur, Abdullahi Buba To Death By Hanging Over Ahmad Yakubu’s Murder
The Zamfara State High Court 1 has sentenced two men, Abdulshakur Tukur and Abdullahi Buba, to death by hanging for conspiracy and the brutal murder of young Ahmad Yakubu.
Delivering the judgment, the Chief Judge of Zamfara State, Justice Kulu Aliyu, stated that the court reached its verdict after thoroughly reviewing the case and evaluating testimonies presented by both the prosecution and the defense.
The court found the duo guilty of murdering the victim and committing horrific acts, including the removal of his throat, tongue, eyes, and genitals in the Barakallahu neighborhood of Gusau town on December 13, 2021.
Consequently, under Section 221 of the Penal Code, the court sentenced them to death by hanging for culpable homicide, alongside a seven-year correctional sentence for criminal conspiracy under Section 97.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria after the ruling, the Zamfara State Prosecuting Counsel, Kabiru Samaila (aka SK Samaila), expressed satisfaction with the court’s judgment, noting that the robust evidence presented by the prosecution was successfully accepted by the court.
On the other hand, defense counsel Zakari Abubakar welcomed the peaceful conduct of the judicial process but disclosed that his legal team would thoroughly study the judgment to weigh options for a possible appeal.
The court also addressed the status of other individuals initially linked to the heinous crime. Aminu Baba, the suspect accused of purchasing the harvested body parts, was struck out because he died while in the correctional facility.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Tukur, who was previously detained on allegations of luring the victim to the crime scene in Barakallahu, was completely acquitted and discharged by the court due to a lack of strong, compelling evidence linking him to the offense.
On January 25, 2022, Radio Nigeria reported the arraignment of five suspects in connection with the crime:
“Five arrested suspected cannibals have been arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court One in Gusau, Zamfara State, for prosecution.
Police Prosecutor SP Jafar Abubakar informed the court that the suspects were brought before it for criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and cannibalism, which are punishable under Sections 97, 218, and 221 of the Penal Code.
The Presiding Judge, Sa’adu Garba Gurbin-Bore, after listening to the prosecution, asked the suspects whether they were accepting the charges or not.
Three of the suspects who are minors confessed, while the two adults, Aminu Baba and one Abdul, rejected the charges and pleaded for justice.
Chief Magistrate Sa’adu Garba therefore referred the case to the High Sharia Court and ordered the detention of the minors at a Remand Home, and the two adults at the Gusau Correctional Center.”
