Kano woman gets death sentence for killing husband nine days after marriage

A High Court in Kano State has sentenced a newlywed woman, Saudat Jibril, to death by hanging after finding her guilty of murdering her husband, Salisu Idris, just nine days after their wedding.

The judgment followed the conclusion of the trial, during which the court heard evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence.

The incident occurred in May 2025 in Farawa, a community in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, where the couple had been married for only nine days before the husband was killed.

The prosecution, led by Barrister Lamido Abba Soron Dinki, counsel to the Kano State Government, called three witnesses in support of its case.

The defence counsel, Barrister Abdulfatah Muhammad, presented Saudat Jibril as the sole witness in her defence.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Maryam Sabo held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and accepted the evidence presented by the prosecution while rejecting the defendant’s testimony.

“The court finds the defendant guilty as charged and hereby sentences her to death by hanging,” Justice Sabo ruled.

Following the judgment, correctional service officials escorted Saudat Jibril from the courtroom to begin serving her sentence, pending any appeal.