Ramatu Garba
A Kano Upper Shari’a Court on Friday fixed July 4th for hearing on the ongoing trial of Shafi’u Abubakar, 38, for allegedly setting a mosque on fire and killing 14 people.
The defendant, who lives at Gadan Village in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano,is standing trial on three-count charge bordering on mischief by fire, causing grevous hurt and culpable homicide.
READ MORE: Mosque Explosion:24 Critically Injured In Gezawa LGA Kano State
The Prosecution Counsel, Director Public Prosection(DPP) Kano State Ministry of Justice, Mr Salisu Tahir, told the court that they have received a copy of the case diary from the police.
“The death toll of the victims has raise from 14 to 19. We seek for another date to enable us file a new charge to add the exact number of victims and present our witnesses before the court” Tahir said
The offences are said to have contravened the provision of section 336, 247 and 221 of Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law.
The Prosecution Counsel, Director Public Prosection(DPP) Kano State Ministry of Justice, Mr Salisu Tahir, told the court that they have received a copy of the case diary from the police.
“The death toll of the victims has raise from 14 to 19. We seek for another date to enable us file a new charge to add the exact number of victims and present our witnesses before the court” Tahir said
The defendant was alleged to have used petrol and set a mosque at Gadan Village Gezawa Local Government Kano on fire during subhi(Dawn) prayer at about 5:15 a.m, on May 15.
“The defendant poured the petrol on the carpet where Sani Suleiman and 24 others were praying, and closed the door.
“In the process several people sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano for treatment, while Suleiman and 13 others died while receiving treatment.
The defendant pleaded guilty to all the three count charge.
NAN reports that Barr. Auwal Abubakar, from Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, announced his appearance as the defence counsel, after the court had on May 20, ordered the Council to provide a lawyer for the defendant.
The presiding judge, Malam Halhalatu Zakariyya, ordered the prosecution counsel to furnish the defence counsel with all the facilities concerning the case.
He ordered the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Center and adjourned the matter until July 4, for hearing.