A Kano State High Court on Tuesday sentenced a 25-year-old man, Bara’u Sa’idu, to 20 years’ imprisonment for killing his 64-year-old uncle following a farmland dispute.
Sa’idu, a resident of Jarimawa Village in Bagwai Local Government Area, had pleaded not guilty to a one-count charge of culpable homicide.
The prosecution, led by Mr. Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, called four witnesses and tendered exhibits to prove its case.
According to the prosecution, the offence occurred on Aug. 7, 2021, at Jarimawa Village.
Abba-Sorondinki told the court that at about 6.00 a.m. on that date, Sa’idu struck his uncle, Magaji Yusuf, on the head with a club during a fight arising from a farmland misunderstanding.
“The deceased sustained severe head injuries, including the loss of one eye, which led to his death,” he said.
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He added that the act contravened Section 221 of the Penal Code Law.
In his defence, Sa’idu claimed he did not intend to kill his uncle. “I was trying to defend myself; that was why I hit him with a stick,” he said.
Defence counsel, Mr. Dele Olaniyan, urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
Delivering judgment, Justice Maryam Sabo found the defendant guilty, holding that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
She sentenced Sa’idu to 20 years’ imprisonment pursuant to Section 225 of the Penal Code Law on unintentional homicide.
The court also ordered that the sentence commence immediately, and that Sa’idu be remanded in the custody of the Kano State Correctional Facility.
Family members of the deceased expressed relief at the ruling, saying it restored some sense of justice to the household, though the loss of Magaji Yusuf remains a source of deep sorrow.
Community leaders in Jarimawa Village have called on residents to resolve disputes peacefully, stressing that disagreements over farmland or property should not escalate into violence.
The Kano State Police have reiterated their commitment to preventing similar incidents, urging families to seek mediation and legal avenues in the event of conflicts.
