Three men accused of killing a housewife and her six children in Kano are now facing fresh criminal charges before a state High Court.
The suspects, Umar Auwalu, 23, Isyaku Yakubu, 40, and Yakubu Abdulaziz, 21, have been charged with eight offences.
These include conspiracy, criminal trespass, robbery, culpable homicide, rape, arson, possession of dangerous weapons, and causing injuries.
The case is linked to the killing of 35-year-old Fatima Abubakar and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters in Kano earlier this year.
The defendants were earlier standing trial before a Chief Magistrate’s Court after they were arrested by the Kano State Police Command. Police investigators filed the initial case following intelligence gathering.
However, during the latest court session on Wednesday, the Kano State Solicitor-General, Salisu Muhammad-Tahir, told the magistrate that the state government had reviewed the case after discovering additional evidence against the suspects.
He informed the court that new charges had already been filed before Kano State High Court 11 to ensure justice for the seven victims.
According to the prosecutor, the offences allegedly committed by the suspects violate several sections of the Penal Code dealing with murder and related crimes.
Muhammad-Tahir also revealed that more people had been arrested in connection with the crime. However, he said the three main suspects would face trial over the eight charges related to the killings.
“We have prepared and filed a charge, and the case was directed to State High Court 11 presided over by Justice Nasiru Saminu,” the Solicitor-General said.
He explained that the case file initially listed five suspects, including two others identified as Sama’ila Garba, who is still at large, and Umar Ali.
However, he added that the charges against the fourth and fifth suspects might be dropped based on legal advice.
The prosecutor also told the court that the suspects are expected to be formally arraigned at the High Court on April 1, 2026.
He further explained that the earlier police case filed at the Magistrate’s Court would be discontinued after the suspects take their plea at the High Court.
The defence lawyer, A. S. Tunkuye, told the court that he had no objection to moving the case to the High Court.
Chief Magistrate Auwal Yusuf-Suleiman later ordered that the suspects remain in a correctional facility and adjourned the matter until April 8 for further mention.
