Frank Geng-Quangrong, a 47-year-old Chinese national, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Kano High Court for the murder of his Nigerian girlfriend, Ummukulsum Sani, aged 22.
The tragic event unfolded on September 16, 2022, at Janbulo Quarters in Kano. Justice Sanusi Ado-Ma’aji, the presiding judge, delivered the verdict on Tuesday.
“The defendant’s testimony is inconsistent. I hereby find him guilty,” Justice Sanusi said.
He also urged the Kano State governor to consider showing mercy to the convict. The prosecution, led by Kano State’s Attorney-General, Haruna Dederi, effectively demonstrated the defendant’s guilt beyond any doubt.
Dederi recounted the sequence of events leading to the fatal stabbing, highlighting the defendant’s responsibility
“The victim was rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” Dederi stated.
Despite Frank’s plea of not guilty, the court heard from six witnesses and examined four exhibits, all reinforcing the prosecution’s case. The defence counsel, Muhummad Dan’azumi, presented Frank’s testimony, wherein he claimed self-defence, alleging that the victim had attacked him first.
“I didn’t kill Ummulkhulsum intentionally but stabbed her in self-defence after she grabbed my testes,” Frank testified.
Following the verdict, Hajiya Fatima Zubairu, the victim’s mother, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. The ruling serves as a testament to the pursuit of justice for victims of violent crimes in the region.
As Frank awaits the Governor’s decision on his plea for mercy, the legal proceedings serve as a reminder of the need for stringent measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
