In a significant legal development, a Chinese national, Geng Quandong, has been handed a death sentence by hanging by the Kano High Court for the murder of his Nigerian girlfriend, Ummukulsum Buhari.
Quandong, aged 47, stood trial for the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Buhari at her family residence in Janbulo quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano on September 16, 2022.
Justice Sanusi Ado-Ma’aji, in delivering the verdict, emphasized that the prosecution successfully demonstrated Quandong’s culpability beyond a reasonable doubt. He cited inconsistencies in Quandong’s testimony and declared him guilty of culpable homicide, punishable by death under Section 221 of the Penal Code Law of Kano State.
The court recommended mercy to the Kano State Governor on behalf of the convict despite the gravity of the offense.
Prosecution Counsel, Attorney-General of Kano State, Haruna Dederi, recounted the events leading to the tragic incident, highlighting that Quandong fatally stabbed Buhari with a knife at her residence, resulting in her death at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano.
Quandong, who initially pleaded not guilty, presented self-defense as his testimony, claiming he acted in response to Buhari’s aggression. His defense counsel urged the court to consider recommending the defendant for prerogative of mercy under section 313 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).
The victim’s mother, Fatima Zubairu, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, hoping for justice to be served.
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