A Kano State High Court has sentenced 19-year-old Sa’adat Jibrin to death by hanging after convicting her of killing her husband, Salisu Idris, nine days after their wedding.
Justice Maryam Sabo delivered the judgment on Thursday, July 30, 2026, ruling that the prosecution proved the charge of culpable homicide beyond reasonable doubt. The court also informed Jibrin that she has 90 days to appeal the decision.
Jibrin, a resident of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, was tried over the death of her 30-year-old husband, who was killed on May 5, 2025, at Farawa Quarters, Kano.
During the trial, prosecution counsel Lamido Abba-Sorondinki told the court that the incident occurred at about 9 p.m., alleging that Jibrin poisoned her husband’s drink before attacking him with a knife.
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The prosecution called two witnesses and argued that the offence contravened Section 221(a) of the Penal Code. Jibrin, however, denied the allegation and maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings.
Before sentencing, defence counsel Abdulfatah Muhammad pleaded for leniency, urging the court to consider her conduct in custody. He said Jibrin had memorized the Holy Qur’an while awaiting trial and appealed to the court to consider her role as the eldest child in her family, with younger siblings depending on her.
Justice Sabo, however, held that the defence’s plea could not outweigh the evidence presented by the prosecution and subsequently imposed the death sentence.
The case drew public attention due to the timing of the alleged offence, which occurred shortly after the couple’s marriage.
Jibrin retains the right to challenge the conviction and sentence through an appeal within the stipulated period.