Two Siblings Caught Killing, Burning Woman’s Body
Two siblings, Amina Aliyu and Aishat Mohammed Aliyu, have been sentenced to death in Niger State for the brutal killing of Hafsat Aliyu, a married woman.
Zainab, the youngest sibling, received life imprisonment due to her age at the time of the crime.
The incident occurred in March 2021 at the family residence in Barkin Saleh, Minna.
Amina and Aishat were convicted of murdering Hafsat, who was both Amina’s co-wife and the wife of Alhaji Muhammad Sani.
According to the prosecution, Aishat attacked Hafsat with a pestle before setting her body on fire in the kitchen.
The trial began at Minna Chief Magistrate Court Number One before being transferred to the High Court.
During the proceedings, which spanned three years, four witnesses testified, including Sani, who recounted how Amina killed Hafsat.
Justice Balkisu Gambo Yusuf of Minna High Court 7 confirmed the prosecution had proven its case beyond doubt, stating, “The punishment for culpable homicide under Section 221 of the Penal Code is death.”
Peter Omale, the defence counsel, urged leniency for Zainab, highlighting her status as a minor at the time of the crime.
Justice Yusuf concurred, ruling, “As of 2021, when the offence was committed, the ACJA excluded anyone below 18 from facing the death penalty.”
