Just In: Woman Sentenced To Death For Killing Ex-Husband, Defense Plans-Appeal

Just In: Woman Sentenced To Death For Killing Ex-Husband, Defense Plans-Appeal

A High Court in Birnin Kebbi sentenced Farida Abubakar to death by hanging on Monday for the murder of her former husband, Chief Magistrate Attahiru Muhammad-Ibrahim. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Abubakar was arraigned on charges of murder on August 25, 2022, with the main charge filed on July 26, 2023.

The prosecution argued that Abubakar fatally stabbed her ex-husband in the abdomen, neck, and left arm. Delivering the judgment, Justice Umar Abubakar, Chief Judge of the state, stated that the court was convinced of the accused’s guilt based on the prosecution’s evidence.

In a plea for leniency, defense counsel Mudashiru Sani, representing Abdulnasir Sallau, highlighted that Abubakar was a first-time offender with elderly parents and a young daughter who needs her care. He requested a lighter sentence, emphasizing the convict’s role as a caregiver.

However, Prosecuting Counsel Lawal Hudu-Garba, Director of Public Prosecution in the state Ministry of Justice, urged the court to impose the full penalty of the law to deter similar crimes.

Following the verdict, defense counsel Sani announced plans to appeal the decision.