Abdulmalik Tanko and Hashimu Isyaku, who were convicted of the kidnap and murder of a schoolgirl Hanifa Abubakar, have filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal in Kano, challenging their death sentences.
The duo was sentenced to death by hanging at the Kano State High Court on July 28, 2022.
Justice Usman Na’abba also sentenced them to five and four years each for conspiracy.
The men conspired and kidnapped the schoolgirl from Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi Islamic Foundation, killed and buried her in a shallow grave in Northwest Preparatory School, located at Kwanar Yan Ghana in Nassarawa LGA, Kano.
The appellants, through their counsel, Anthony Ezenwoko, approached the Appeal Court with two grounds of appeal each, seeking the court to set aside the death sentences against them.
Abdulmalik and Hashimu alleged that the decision of the court is unreasonable and cannot be supported having regard to the evidence adduced before the court.
They further alleged that the trial judge erred in law when he held that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
A three-man justice panel, led by Justice B.M. Ugo, alongside Justice U.A. Musale and Justice A.O. Adeniyi, granted the appellants’ counsel’s request for an extension to file an appeal, challenging the judgment.
Counsel for the appellants applied on August 12, 2024, seeking an extension of time to challenge the death sentences imposed by the Kano State High Court. Kano State Government’s counsel did not object to this request.
Justice Ugo granted the appellants an extension to file their appeal within 14 days at the Kano State High Court, specifically regarding the notice of appeal.
He maintained that the decisions align with the Court of Appeal Act which allows extensions of time in certain circumstances.