Kano Governor to Sign Death Sentence of 5-Year-Old Hanifa’s Killer If Court Approves
Following the murder of 5-year-old Hanifa Abubakar by her school proprietor, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has vowed to sign the death sentence of her murderer(s) if the court convicts the culprit(s). The proprietor of Noble Kids Academy, Abdulmalik Tanko, confessed to killing Hanifa with a rat poison and burying her in his school compound with the help of a friend.
During a condolence visit to Hanifa’s family on Monday, Governor Ganduje said the court is working speedily on the case and whoever is convicted will be punished severely. He said he will not hesitate the sign the convict’s death sentence if the court sentences the convict to death. He reiterated that he has the constitutional power to uphold or revoke a death sentence ordered by the courts.
“Whoever is found guilty of this heinous offence will also face death without wasting any time,” Ganduje said through his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar. “As a government, we have already started the process. Our constitution provides that, when a death sentence is passed, it is the constitutional power of the governor to assent for the execution of the culprit. I assure you all that, I will not waste even one second.”
Paying the condolence visit with Ganduje were Deputy Governor Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, Majority Leader of the House of Assembly Labaran Abdul Madari, and other top government executives. The governor pledged that the state government will take good care of Hanifa’s family to bless her memory.
Wife of the president, First Lady Aisha Buhari, called for the public execution of Tanko after a popular Islamic cleric in Kano had earlier called for his execution. Buhari and the cleric said the public execution will serve as a deterrent to others who may be plotting such evil. The First Lady also tasked the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation to wade into the matter.
Hanifa went missing on December 2, 2021 after going to school. Her kidnappers later called and demanded for N6 million. But in January 2022, police detectives arrested her school proprietor, Tanko, who confessed to kidnapping and killing her. He then led police officers to the school premises, where the young girl’s body was exhumed.
