“Zobo Poisoning, Knife Attack End In Death Sentence” — Kano Court Convicts 19-Year-Old Woman Nine Days After Wedding

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a 19-year-old woman, Saudat Jibrin, to death by hanging for killing her husband, Salisu Idris, just nine days after their wedding.
Justice Maryam Sabo delivered the judgment on Thursday after a 14-month trial, holding that the prosecution proved the charge of culpable homicide against Jibrin beyond reasonable doubt.
The convict, a resident of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, was arrested in May 2025 and subsequently arraigned on a one-count charge of culpable homicide punishable with death.
The judge nevertheless informed Jibrin of her constitutional right to challenge the conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal within the legally stipulated period.
During the trial, prosecuting counsel Lamido Abba Sorondinki told the court that Jibrin poisoned her husband’s zobo drink before attacking him with a knife at about 9pm on the day of the incident.
The prosecution maintained that the poisoning and knife attack resulted in Idris’ death, prompting a police investigation that led to the defendant’s arrest and prosecution.
Kano State called two witnesses and presented evidence to establish the charge, which was brought under Section 221(a) of the Penal Code.
In his plea for leniency, defence counsel Abdulfatah Muhammad urged the court to temper justice with mercy, arguing that Jibrin had shown signs of reformation while in custody.
Muhammad told the court that the convict had memorised the Holy Qur’an during her detention and asked the judge to consider her age and family circumstances.
He said Jibrin was the first child of her family and played an important role in supporting her younger siblings.
The court, however, found that the mitigating circumstances presented by the defence were insufficient to displace the punishment prescribed for the offence and consequently sentenced her to death by hanging.
Reacting to the judgment, the Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude, SAN, described the conviction as a significant milestone in the administration of criminal justice in the state.
In a statement posted on his verified social media account, Maude commended Sorondinki, who is the Deputy Director of Civil Litigation, for his professionalism, diligence and dedication throughout the proceedings.
“This conviction is another clear demonstration of our resolve to ensure that anyone who violates the law is held accountable, irrespective of status or circumstance,” the Attorney-General said.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting law-abiding residents and ensuring that justice is served in deserving cases.
Maude added that the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf would continue to strengthen the justice sector in line with its Kano First Agenda.
The case attracted widespread public attention because Idris was killed only nine days after his marriage to Jibrin.
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