Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — The Court of Appeal sitting in Kano has reaffirmed the death sentence imposed on Abdulmalik Muhammad Tanko for his role in the kidnapping and murder of five‑year‑old pupil Hanifa Abubakar, delivering a decisive judgment that upholds the lower court’s ruling and underscores the severity of judicial response to heinous crimes against children. The appellate court’s decision effectively dismisses Tanko’s appeal, rejecting efforts by the convict and his co‑defendant to overturn their convictions and sentences.
Tanko — the proprietor of Northwest Preparatory School in Kano State — and his accomplice, Hashimu Isyaku, were originally convicted by a Kano State High Court on July 28, 2022, on multiple counts including kidnapping, culpable homicide and related offences in connection with the abduction and death of Hanifa. The court sentenced both men to death by hanging, a punishment reflecting the gravity of the offense and Nigeria’s legal framework for murder.
The tragic case captured widespread national attention after Hanifa was abducted on December 4, 2021, as she walked home from her Islamiya (Arabic) school lessons in Kano. Tanko allegedly lured the child and held her captive, later administering poison after reportedly collecting ransom payments from her family, according to investigative findings presented at trial. The victim’s body was discovered in a shallow grave on the school premises, triggering public outrage and intense scrutiny of private school safety standards.
Following the high‑court verdict in 2022, Tanko and Isyaku filed notices of appeal at the Kano Division of the Court of Appeal, seeking to nullify both the convictions and death sentences. Their legal team argued that procedural missteps and evidentiary issues at the trial level undermined the integrity of the lower court’s findings.
The appellate panel, however, rejected those arguments and upheld the death sentences, affirming that the conviction was sound and that the penalty imposed by the trial court was legally justified. The decision by the Court of Appeal means that, unless further recourse is taken, the convicts will remain on death row while final procedural options are exhausted.
Under Nigerian law, death sentences must be confirmed by higher courts, and execution cannot proceed until all appeals — including potential applications to the Supreme Court — are concluded. This legal safeguard ensures that capital punishment decisions undergo rigorous judicial review, particularly in cases involving the most serious crimes.
In the aftermath of the appellate ruling, public reactions have been mixed. Human rights advocates and child protection organisations welcomed the affirmation of the sentence, framing it as an affirmation of justice for Hanifa and a deterrent against crimes targeting vulnerable children. They argue that upholding stringent penalties sends a strong message about societal intolerance for acts of extreme cruelty and betrayal of trust, especially by individuals in positions of authority such as educators.
Meanwhile, legal observers note that the case highlights broader issues in Nigeria’s criminal justice system, including the lengthy appeals process and the complexities of enforcing death sentences. It is not uncommon in the country for convicts sentenced to death to remain on death row for extended periods due to the time required for appeals and executive authorisation of execution warrants. In this case, observers emphasise the importance of allowing all legal avenues to be exhausted before any execution can be carried out.
The death of Hanifa sparked national sorrow and renewed calls for improved safety and accountability in schools, particularly private institutions where oversight has historically been inconsistent. In response to the initial crime, the Kano State Government took steps to revoke licences of private schools and enhance regulatory scrutiny to prevent future abuses. The incident also prompted discussion about child safety protocols, community engagement in monitoring educational environments, and the responsibilities of school proprietors.
In 2024, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf pledged to ensure that the sentence would be carried out once legal requirements were fulfilled, framing the commitment as part of a broader effort to protect children and uphold justice. However, procedural intricacies — including the appeal lodged by Tanko and Isyaku — have delayed any potential execution, and the case remains under judicial and public scrutiny as the legal process unfolds.
The Court of Appeal’s reaffirmation of the death sentence for Abdulmalik Tanko marks a significant milestone in one of Nigeria’s most notorious child murder cases in recent years. It reflects the judiciary’s determination to stand by the findings of the trial court while balancing the due process rights of convicts within the legal framework governing capital punishment. As stakeholders on both sides of the justice debate continue to evaluate the implications of the ruling, the legacy of Hanifa’s case will likely remain part of the broader national conversation on crime, punishment and child protection.
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