Abdulmalik Muhammad Tanko and Hashimu Isyaku have filed a notice appeal, challenging their death sentences at the Court of Appeal, Kano Division, over the Kidnap and murder of 5-year-old Hanifa Abubakar.
Justice Watch News recalls that on the 28th July, 2022 a Kano State High Court presided over by Justice Usman Mallam Na’abba had sentenced the duo to death by hanging at the conclusion of the trial.
They were additionally convicted to 5 and 4 years each for conspiracy.
They allegedly conspired and kidnapped the deceased from Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi Islamic Foundation killed and buried her in a shallow grave in Northwest Prepatory School, located at Kwanar Yan Ghana, in Nassarawa LGA, Kano.
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The Appellants, through their counsel, Barrister Anthony Osondu Ezenwoko, approached the Appeal Court with Two grounds of appeal each, seeking the court to set aside the death sentences against them.
Abdulmalik and Hashimu alleged that the decision of Kano State High Court Judge is unreasonable and cannot be supported having regards to the evidence adduced before the court.
They further alleged that the Learned trial judge erred in law when he held that the Prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
A three-justice panel led by Justice B.M. Ugo, alongside Justice U.A. Musale and Justice A.O. Adeniyi, has granted the appellants’ counsel request for an extension to file an appeal challenging Kano State High Court Number Five’s judgment in Case No K/30e/2022.
Counsel for the appellants has filed an application on August 12, 2024, seeking an extension of time to challenge the death sentences handed down by the Kano State High Court. Notably, the Kano State Government’s counsel did not object to this request.
Justice Ugo has granted the appellants an extension to file their appeal within 14 days at the Kano State High Court, specifically regarding the notice of appeal.
He maintained that the decisions aligns with the Court of Appeal Act, which allows for extensions of time in certain circumstances.