The Court of Appeal in Kano has delivered a decisive verdict, dismissing the appeal filed by Abdulmalik Tanko and upholding the death sentence imposed on him for the horrific kidnapping and murder of five-year-old Hanifa Abubakar.
Judgement Delivered: No Merit in Appeal
On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, Justice A.R. Muhammad read the judgement, affirming the earlier decision of the Kano State High Court. The appellate court found that the arguments presented by Tanko's legal team were lacking in merit. Justice Muhammad stated that the evidence provided by the prosecution was both compelling and convincing, leaving no grounds for the court to interfere with the lower court's ruling.
The judge emphasized that the trial court, presided over by Justice Usman Na'abba, had acted correctly both in its application of the law and in its assessment of the evidence. Justice Muhammad further urged the relevant authorities to ensure the judgement is carried out once the convict has exhausted all legally available avenues of appeal.
A Nation's Outrage: The Crime That Shook Nigeria
The case dates back to December 2021, when Hanifa Abubakar was abducted in Kano. The perpetrator was none other than Abdulmalik Tanko, the proprietor of the Noble Kids Academy in Nassarawa Local Government Area, the very school the young girl attended. This betrayal of trust amplified the national horror.
After kidnapping Hanifa, Tanko contacted her family, demanding a ransom of six million naira (N6m). Shockingly, before any ransom could be paid, he administered a lethal injection of rat poison, which led to the innocent child's death. The young age of the victim and the cold-blooded nature of the crime triggered widespread condemnation and grief across Nigeria.
Legal Proceedings and Co-defendants
Abdulmalik Tanko was formally arraigned on January 24, 2022, alongside two other individuals: Isyaku Hashim and Fatima Jibril. They faced charges including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, unlawful confinement, and culpable homicide.
The initial judgement was delivered on July 28, 2022, by the Kano State High Court. The court sentenced both Abdulmalik Tanko and Isyaku Hashim to death by hanging. The third defendant, Fatima Jibril, received a two-year prison term.
With the Appeal Court's latest ruling, the legal process moves closer to a final resolution, offering a measure of judicial solace in a case that remains a painful memory for the nation.
