Man Sentenced to Death for Poisoning Woman in Kebbi

By: Ojay Matthew

A Kebbi State High Court in Birnin Kebbi has sentenced a 40-year-old man, Bello Musa, popularly known as Katuka, to death by hanging for culpable homicide, and an additional five-year jail term for cheating. The judgment was delivered by Justice Hassan Shehu Kuwa, who ruled that the prosecution had successfully established its case against the defendant.

Musa was convicted on three counts bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and cheating, offences contrary to Sections 60(b), 191(b) and 308 of the Kebbi State Penal Code Law, 2021. The charges stemmed from the death of 31-year-old Shamsiyya Usman, whom Musa was accused of poisoning in November 2024.

According to the prosecution, Musa checked into a hotel in Birnin Kebbi with the victim, poisoned her drink, and subsequently abandoned her body in the room. Hotel staff later discovered her lifeless body, prompting a police investigation that led to his arrest.

Prosecuting counsel, Barrister Zainab Muhammad Jabbo, presented eight witnesses and tendered four exhibits, including Musa’s confessional statements obtained by the state Criminal Investigation Department. The court held that the evidence presented was sufficient to secure the conviction.