Kano Court Sentences Woman to Death Nine Days After Wedding

​A Kano High Court has handed down a death sentence to a 19-year-old housewife, Saudat Jibrin, after finding her guilty of murdering her husband just nine days after their marriage.

​Presiding over the case, Justice Maryam Sabo delivered the judgment on Thursday, July 30, 2026, ruling that the prosecution had successfully established the charge of culpable homicide beyond a reasonable doubt.

​”I hereby sentence Saudat Jibrin to death by hanging for culpable homicide. You have 90 days to appeal,” Justice Sabo ruled.

​Case Background

• ​Date of Offence: May 5, 2025
• ​Location: Farawa Quarters, Kumbosto Local Government Area, Kano State
• ​Victim: Salisu Idris (30 years old)
• ​Legal Charge: Culpable homicide contravening Section 221(a) of the Penal Code

​Trial Details

​During the proceedings, Prosecution Counsel Lamido Abba-Sorondinki informed the court that the tragedy unfolded at approximately 9:00 p.m. inside the couple’s home. According to the prosecution, Jibrin laced her husband’s local hibiscus beverage, popularly known as “Zobo,” before using a knife to slash his throat.

​To substantiate the allegations, the state presented two key witnesses who established the sequence of events leading to the victim’s death.

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​While the defendant maintained her innocence throughout the trial, the defense counsel, Mr. Abdulfatah Muhammad, focused his final submissions on a plea for mercy. Muhammad highlighted that Jibrin had undergone a spiritual transformation while in detention—notably memorizing the Holy Qur’an—and urged the court to exercise leniency. He further noted that as the eldest child, her family depended heavily on her for support.

​Despite the plea for clevancy, the court ruled in favor of the prosecution’s evidence, culminating in the mandatory death sentence by hanging, with a 90-day window provided for an appeal.