A Kano State High Court on Friday discharged and acquitted a woman, Fatima Dahiru, who had been standing trial for the alleged killing of her co-wife, Wasila Yunusa, in Farawa Quarters of Kumbotso Local Government Area.
Fatima had been arraigned on a one-count charge of culpable homicide.
Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, told the court that the offence was committed on February 6, 2019, at about 3:30 pm at Farawa Quarters, Kano.
He alleged that Fatima struck Wasila on the head with a sharp object, which later led to her death. The prosecution called seven witnesses, including the deceased’s husband, Isyaku Muhammad, who testified as the fifth prosecution witness.
While delivering judgment, Justice Zuwaira Yusuf ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, describing the evidence presented as weak and riddled with contradictions.
“None of the prosecution witnesses were eyewitnesses to the murder, and no credible evidence was presented to show how the defendant allegedly killed the deceased,” the judge said.
She added that the prosecution failed to properly establish the offence, stressing that suspicion alone is insufficient to secure a conviction.
“The prosecution failed woefully to establish the offence. The defendant, Fatima Dahiru, is hereby found not guilty of the one-count charge of culpable homicide. She is hereby discharged and acquitted,” Justice Yusuf ruled.
