Appeal Court Affirms Death Sentence For Killer Of Five-Year-Old Kano Pupil, Hanifa Abubakar

January 2, 2026 

The Court of Appeal sitting in Kano State has upheld the death sentence imposed on Abdulmalik Tanko for the murder of five-year-old Hanifa Abubakar, reaffirming the ruling in one of Nigeria’s most shocking criminal cases in recent years.

In its judgment, Justice A. R. Muhammad dismissed Tanko’s appeal and affirmed the decision of the Kano State High Court, which had sentenced him to death by hanging. The appellate court ruled that the trial court correctly applied the law and thoroughly evaluated the evidence presented during the trial.

According to the court, Tanko failed to raise any credible grounds capable of overturning his conviction. Justice Muhammad described the prosecution’s case as compelling and conclusive, stressing that there was no legal basis for the Court of Appeal to interfere with either the findings or the sentence of the lower court.

The court further stated that once Tanko has exhausted all available legal remedies, the appropriate authorities should ensure that the judgment is fully enforced.

Hanifa Abubakar was abducted in December 2021 from Noble Kids Academy in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, a school owned by Tanko. The five-year-old pupil was reportedly kidnapped by the school proprietor, who later demanded a ₦6 million ransom from her parents.

Investigations later revealed that Tanko poisoned the child with rat poison, leading to her death. The incident sparked nationwide outrage, particularly because of the victim’s tender age and the grave breach of trust by someone entrusted with her care and education.

Tanko was arraigned on January 24, 2022, alongside Isyaku Hashim and Fatima Jibril, on charges of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, unlawful detention, and culpable homicide.

On July 28, 2022, the Kano State High Court, presided over by Justice Usman Na’abba, sentenced Tanko and Hashim to death by hanging, while Fatima Jibril was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for her involvement in the crime.