A Kano State High Court has sentenced 19-year-old Saudat Jibrin to death by hanging after finding her guilty of killing her husband, 30-year-old Salisu Idris, just nine days after their wedding.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice Maryam Sabo ruled that the prosecution had proven the case of culpable homicide against Jibrin beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge subsequently sentenced her to death by hanging and informed her of her right to appeal the decision within 90 days.
During the trial, prosecution counsel Lamido Abba-Sorondinki told the court that the incident occurred on May 5, 2025, at Farawa Quarters in Kano.
According to the prosecution, Jibrin allegedly gave her husband a bottle of “Zobo” drink containing a harmful substance before attacking him with a knife, resulting in injuries that led to his death.
Two prosecution witnesses appeared before the court and gave evidence in support of the case against the defendant.
However, Jibrin denied the allegations and testified in her own defence.
Her lawyer, Abdulfatah Muhammad, pleaded with the court for leniency, arguing that she had undergone positive transformation while in custody, including memorising the Holy Qur’an. He also urged the court to consider that she was the eldest child in her family and that her younger siblings relied on her support.
Despite the plea for mercy, the court convicted Jibrin under Section 221(a) of the Penal Code and handed down the death sentence.
The case drew significant attention in Kano after Idris was killed less than two weeks after marrying Jibrin in April 2025. Investigators alleged that the newlywed poisoned his drink before attacking him at their residence in Farawa Quarters.
Following her arrest, Jibrin was charged with culpable homicide and remained in custody throughout the trial.
After months of legal proceedings, with both the prosecution and defence presenting their arguments and evidence, the court concluded that the prosecution had established its case, resulting in her conviction and sentencing.