Prior to the conviction, Ganduje had vowed to assent to the death warrants if the court passed a death sentence on the accused.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The government of Kano State has confirmed that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje would happily keep his promise of signing the death warrants of Hanifa Abubakar’s killers.
On July 28, Justice Usman Na’aba of the Kano state high convicted Abdulmalik Tanko and Hashimu Isiyaku of killing the 6-year-old Hanifa. They were both sentenced to death by hanging.
The third defendant, Fatima Musa, was sentenced to two years imprisonment criminal conspiracy and attempted kidnapping.
Prior to the conviction, Ganduje had vowed to assent to the death warrants if the court passed a death sentence on the accused.
Attorney General of Kano State, Musa Abdullahi Lawan has assured that Ganduje is ready to fulfil his promise of assenting the death warrants.
Lawan the Nigerian Correctional Service is responsible for the issuance of the death warrants after the expiration of 90 days appeal grace.
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The Kano Attorney General explained that despite the conviction, the two convicts have the right to seek an appeal against the lower court judgment.
He said: “The court has passed judgment, sentenced two of the accused to death by hanging and the Governor has promised to sign the death warrant, so we are waiting for the 90 days window period for appeal before we do the needful.
“The constitution allows and gives the convicts rights of appeal about three months window period. Remember when this trial started we promised Nigerians the commitment to prosecute the case to the logical conclusion and as speedy as possible and by the will of God that happened.
“In six months, the trial judge concluded the case within six months. This is commendable. So if there is appeal, we would remind the public that government is ready for the appeal at any given time. Not only that, we would make sure the trial and judgement is given equal commitment and speedy completion. I can assure the public that we are matching the trial with all sense of responsibility and seriousness.
“For the people raising questions on whether the Judgment would be executed or not, all I can say is the law is the law. We would wait for the 90 days grace of appeal. If they appeal fine we would equally swing to action if they do not, as soon as the waiting period expires, the governor will do the needful.”
