The Court of Appeal has upheld the death sentence passed on Abdulmalik Tanko for the kidnapping and murder of a young girl, Hanifa, describing the crime as cruel and heartless.
In its judgment, the appellate court affirmed the earlier ruling of Justice Usman Na’Abbata, who sentenced Tanko and his accomplices, Hashimu and Fatima, to death by hanging after finding them guilty of killing the innocent child without any justification.
The court expressed strong disappointment over the manner in which Hanifa was murdered, stressing that individuals who commit such inhumane acts do not deserve sympathy from the government or society.
Tanko and his co-convicts had approached the Court of Appeal, challenging the judgment of the trial court.
However, the appellate court dismissed their appeal in its entirety, holding that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judgment has been widely seen as a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s resolve to ensure justice for victims of violent crimes, particularly against children.
