A Kano State High Court has sentenced a housewife, Fadila Adamu, to death by hanging for kidnapping and murdering an eight-year-old girl.

The court found Adamu guilty of kidnapping and culpable homicide after she was accused of abducting the minor and throwing her into a well, leading to her death.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Yusuf Muhammad-Ubale held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“I hereby sentence the defendant to death by hanging for kidnapping and causing the death of the victim by throwing her into a well,” the judge ruled.

Prosecution counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that the offence was committed on July 14, 2019, at Tudun Wada Quarters, Kano.

According to him, at about 4:45 p.m., the defendant lured the child to her residence and deceived her sister into believing that the victim was the daughter of a friend who had travelled to Ghana. She then asked her sister to keep the girl until her supposed mother returned.

However, three days later, at about 6:30 p.m. on July 17, 2019, the defendant threw the girl into a deep well at Tukuntawa, Kano, causing her death.

The prosecution presented seven witnesses, including the defendant’s statements and a medical report confirming the minor’s death.

The defendant, however, denied committing the offence.

The prosecution argued that her actions contravened Sections 274(b) and 221(a) of the Penal Code.

Defence counsel, Zulaihat Tata, called four witnesses, including the defendant, in an attempt to secure her freedom, but the court ruled against her.

With the judgment, Adamu will face execution as prescribed by law.