Society Gist Editor
Ude Emmanuel
A High Court sitting in Katsina has sentenced two domestic workers—a security guard and a cook—to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a former Katsina State Commissioner. The ruling brings a dramatic end to a case that shocked the state and drew nationwide attention.
The convicted men, identified as Abubakar Idris (the guard) and Musa Lawal (the cook), were found guilty of conspiring and executing the premeditated murder of the former commissioner at his private residence in Katsina. The incident, which occurred in 2021, sparked widespread outrage due to the trust the victim had placed in his killers, both of whom had worked closely with him in his home.
According to court proceedings, the prosecution presented compelling evidence, including confessional statements and forensic reports, linking the duo to the crime. The court heard that the accused meticulously planned the attack, gained access to the commissioner’s bedroom under false pretenses, and proceeded to stab and strangle him in the dead of night. They subsequently made away with valuable possessions, including cash and personal items.
Justice Kabir Shuaibu, who delivered the ruling, described the murder as “heinous and calculated,” stating that the court had no option but to impose the maximum penalty prescribed by law. “The convicts betrayed the trust of their employer and committed a most gruesome act. This court hereby sentences both accused persons to death by hanging,” the judge ruled.
Family members of the late commissioner, who were present in court, expressed relief and a sense of closure following the judgment. “Though it won’t bring him back, we are grateful that justice has been served,” a relative said.
The case has renewed public discourse on domestic staff screening, the rising trend of insider-led crimes, and the need for employers to thoroughly vet individuals granted access to their homes.
With the judgment now delivered, the fate of Idris and Lawal rests in the appeals process, should they choose to challenge the ruling. For now, however, the court’s decision stands as a stern warning to others who may contemplate similar acts of betrayal and violence.
