By our reporter
A middle-aged woman Hauwa’u Mukhtar is to die by hanging after being found guilty of supplying bandits operating in Zamfara State arms and ammunitions.
A Federal High Court sitting in Katsina State Tuesday handed down the sentence after she was found guilty of conspiracy with terrorists and facilitating their operations.
Mukhtar was arrested by Department of State Services (DSS) agents on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park in Katsina State. She was caught in possession of 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition intended for a wanted bandit kingpin identified as Ado.
The DSS subsequently arraigned Mukhtar before the Federal High Court in Suit No. KTH/65C/2023. The case was heard by Justice A. B. Bawale.
During the trial, the prosecution presented witnesses and tendered several exhibits to support its claims that the defendant knowingly participated in activities that aided terrorist operations. The court also considered arguments advanced by defence counsel before arriving at its decision.
In his judgment, Justice Bawale held that the evidence presented before the court was credible and sufficient to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt. He ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved both counts filed against the defendant.
The court therefore convicted Mukhtar for conspiracy to commit terrorism and for aiding and abetting terrorist activities.
Following the conviction, Justice Bawale sentenced her to death by hanging in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021.