Yobe court sentences man to death for killing wife

A Yobe State High Court sitting in Damaturu has sentenced a 45-year-old man, Abubakar Musa, popularly known as Daddy, to death by hanging for the killing of his wife, Ammi Adamu Mamman.

Musa was arrested on January 4, 2024, following his wife’s death at New Bra-Bra Estate, Damaturu, and was subsequently charged with culpable homicide, according to media reports.

The then Police Public Relations Officer of the Yobe State Command, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, said the incident occurred at about 4:48 a.m. on January 4, after the ‘C’ Divisional Police Headquarters in Damaturu received a distress call.

Abdulkarim said the couple were on the same bed when Mamman was allegedly attacked with a sharp object on the neck, causing severe bleeding that led to her death.

He said Musa was arrested for interrogation, while the homicide unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The case subsequently went to High Court 1 in Damaturu, where the judge reportedly held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

University Community Mourned Deceased

Mamman’s death also drew reactions from the university community. A February 2024 newsletter published by Yobe State University identified her as a member of staff and said the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mala Mohammed Daura, mourned her death and called on security agencies to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

The university described her death as a loss to its community. She was buried in Potiskum on January 9, 2024, according to the newsletter.

The Women-led Civil Society Organizations Network in Yobe State also condemned the killing and called for justice. In a statement issued shortly after the incident, the network identified the deceased as Ammi Adamu Mamman and said she was a volunteer with one of its member organisations.

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, also expressed condolences to the family and called on security agencies to establish the circumstances surrounding her death, assuring that anyone found responsible would face the law.

A lawyer quoted in media reports said Musa retained the right to appeal the judgment within the period prescribed by law.