A Jigawa State High Court has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for their role in the murder of 30-year-old Salamatu Musa, who was accused of witchcraft.

The convicts, who include a husband, wife, the wife’s brother, and her sister, were found guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

According to the court, the convicts conspired to attack Salamatu Musa with a stick, leading to her death. They alleged that the deceased was a witch whose supposed evil acts caused the death of their son.

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In his ruling, Justice Ado Yusuf Birnin-Kudu stated, “The court finds the accused guilty of committing the offence with full knowledge of its probable consequence: death. Therefore, the court hereby sentences them to six years imprisonment each for criminal conspiracy and death by hanging for culpable homicide.”

The judgment follows an extensive legal process that began in 2019, when the convicts were arrested and prosecuted. During the trial, the prosecution presented five witnesses, a medical report, and the convicts’ confessional statements.

Abbas Rufa’i Wangara, Director of Protocol and Publicity for the Jigawa State Judiciary, welcomed the judgment, saying, “This judgment underscores the Judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all, irrespective of social or cultural beliefs.”

The convicts have been granted 90 days to file an appeal against the judgment. The ruling has drawn mixed reactions from the public, with some expressing concerns about the cultural and legal implications of the case.