Court summons 2 witnesses in trial of suspected Kano mosque arsonist

A Kano Upper Shari’a Court on Wednesday summoned two prosecution witnesses, Bashir Sale and Salisu Sani, to testify in the ongoing trial of a suspected mosque arsonist, Shafi’u Abubakar.

Abubakar was arraigned by the state government for culpable homicide, attempted murder, causing grievous hurt and mischief by fire.

The presiding judge, Malam Halhalatu Zakariyya, issued the summons following a request by the state’s Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Salisu Tahir.

Sale and Sani, both residents of Gadan Larabar Abasawa Village, Gezawa local government area of Kano, along with a police officer, were scheduled to testify in the trial.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel informed the court that he received a phone call at about 6:25 a.m., from the Ward Head of Gadan Larabar Abasawa Village, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yahaya, that the witnesses will appear before the court to testify.

He said: “My lord we waited for the witnesses in our office until 9:50 a.m. I later called Sale to tell him that the witnesses were not in court.

“Sale informed me that they will not be able to appear today. My lord, he sounded very afraid on the phone.

“The Ward Head Yahaya later called and pleaded for another date to enable the witnesses to appear before the court to testify.”

He urged the court to issue a witness summon to the two witnesses through the office of the Ward Head.

The defence counsel, Hasiya Muhammad-Imam, did not object to the prosecution’s application.

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The prosecution opened his case on September 17 with four witnesses.

The defendant allegedly poured petrol and set fire to a mosque in Gadan Larabar Abasawa village of Gezawa local government area of the state and locked the doors on May 15.

At least 23 worshippers were trapped in the mosque during subhi (Dawn) prayer on that fateful day.

Authorities said 23 people sustained various degrees of injuries.

The police alleged that the defendant attempted to kill two men identified as Shu’aibu Ibrahim and Ibrahim Sani when he poured petrol and set fire to them.

The defendant pleaded guilty to all the charges.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 140, 148, 167 and 370 of Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law 2000.

The court adjourned the matter till October 30 for the continuation of the hearing.

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