Trial of Kano arson suspect adjourned to July 18

The trial of the suspected mastermind of  Kano mosque arson, Shafiu Abubakar, was stalled on Thursday due to the inability of the police to include additional names of victims who died from the incident in their case diary.

The defendant, Shafi’u Abubakar, 38, who lives at Gadan village in Gezawa Local Government Area of the state is standing trial before a Kano Upper Shari’a Court sitting at Rijiyar Zaki for allegedly setting a mosque on fire, killing 14 people.

The Prosecution Counsel, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Kano State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Salisu Tahir, told the court that they had received a copy of the case diary from the police but demanded the police to include the names of additional victims who also died from the incident.

“The death toll of the victims has risen from 14 to 19. We seek another date to enable us file a new charge to add the exact number of victims and present our witnesses before the court,” Tahir told the court.

The defendant was alleged to have used petrol and set a mosque at Gadan village on fire during Subhi (dawn) prayer at about 5:15 a.m, on May 15.

The defendant reportedly poured petrol on the carpet where Sani Suleiman and 24 others were praying, and closed the door. In the process several people sustained varying degrees of injury and were rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano for treatment, while Suleiman and 13 others died while receiving treatment.

The defendant pleaded guilty to all the three-count charges bordering on mischief by fire causing grievous hurt and culpable homicide.

The offences are contrary to the provision of Section 336, 247 and 221 of Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law.

The defence counsel, Barr. Asiya Muhammad Imam from Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, asked the prosecution counsel to furnish them with the new charge.

The presiding judge, Malam Halhalatul Huza’i Zakariyya, consequently adjourned the case until July 18 and 19, for hearing.