The Katsina State High Court 9, led by Justice I. I. Mashi, has sentenced two individuals to death over the murder of former Commissioner for Science and Technology, Rabe Nasir.
Nasir was reportedly murdered on December 8, 2021, by hired assassins at his residence in Fatima Shema Housing Estate, Katsina.
The court found that Shamsu Lawal, a former security guard, and Tasi’u Rabi’u, who served as a cook in Nasir’s household, poisoned him after failing in their attempt to rob him. Medical evidence confirmed the presence of poison in his body.
In addition to the death sentences, the court handed a five-year prison term to another former guard, Sani Sa’adu, for withholding information about the crime.
Meanwhile, a girl named Gift Bako was discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence linking her to the murder. Her lawyer welcomed the decision, saying it was grounded in truth.
Both the prosecution and defence expressed satisfaction with the judicial process and the outcome. Counsel to the convicts, Ahmad Kankia, appealed for mercy, citing their family responsibilities, while the prosecution maintained that justice had been served.
The convicts appeared visibly distressed as they were led away by security personnel, while there was joy among the family and legal representatives of Gift Bako after her acquittal.
Nasir had served as Commissioner under former Governor Aminu Masari in 2021, previously represented Mani and Bindawa Federal Constituency in 2003, and worked as a Department of State Services officer.
He was killed shortly after returning home, prompting an immediate police investigation. His burial took place on December 10, 2021, at Gidan-Dawa cemetery, Katsina.