Hanifa Abubakar: Ganduje will sign death warrant after 90 days – Kano govt

Justice Usman Na’aba of Kano State High Court had recently convicted Abdulmalik Tanko and Hashimu Isiyaku of the murder of the six-year-old pupil and duly sentenced them to death by hanging.

However, the third defendant, Fatima Musa, bagged two years of imprisonment for criminal conspiracy and attempted kidnapping.

During investigation leading to the trial, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje had vowed to assent to a likely death warrant if the suspects were convicted.

However, people are expressing concern that after conclusion of the case and conviction of the culprits, Ganduje may renege on his promise since no governor has signed a similar death warrant.

Allaying fears of the populace, Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Musa Abdullahi Lawan, reiterated the governor’s committment to his promise, adding that such would only happen after the expiration of 90 days of an appeal.

Lawan explained that regardless of their conviction, the two convicts still had the right to appeal against the judgment of the lower court.

“The court has passed judgement and sentenced two of the accused to death by hanging and the Governor has promised to sign the death warrant. So, we are waiting for the 90 days window period for appeal before we do the needful,” he told newsmen.

“The constitution allows and gives the convicts rights of appeal for about three months window period. Remember when this trial started we promised Nigeria the commitment to prosecute the case to the logical conclusion and as speedy as possible and by the will of God that happened.

“In six months, the trial judge concluded the case. This is commendable. So if there is an appeal, we would remind the public that the government is ready for the appeal at any given time. Not only that, we would make sure the trial and judgement are given the equal commitment and speedy completion. I can assure the public that we are matching the trial with all sense of responsibility and seriousness.

“For the people raising questions on whether the Judgement would be executed or not, all I can say is the law is the law. We would wait after the 90 days grace of appeal.”

Hanifa Abubakar, a pupil of Noble Kids Academy, Kano, was abducted and murdered by the convicts, including the proprietor of the school, resulting in outrage across the country.