Islamic Cleric Receives 15-Year Sentence for Killing 16-Year-Old in Taraba

A High Court in Jalingo, Taraba State has sentenced Mallam Mubarak Hassan, a 27-year-old Islamic cleric, to 15 years of imprisonment for the murder of Mustapha Ishyaku, a 16-year-old boy.

Hassan was found guilty of killing Ishyaku in the Mutum Biyu area of Gassol Local Government.

During the judgment delivered on Friday, March 27, 2026, Chief Judge Justice Joel Agya convicted Hassan for culpable homicide not punishable by death, sentencing him to 15 years in prison without the option of a fine.

The Chief Judge noted that the sentence is effective from March 3, 2022, the date of Hassan's arrest by law enforcement.

However, the judge also acquitted him of charges of abduction and kidnapping.

Justice Agya highlighted that the case, filed by the Office of the Attorney General on June 20, 2022, involved allegations of kidnapping, which the prosecution could not substantiate beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution claimed that Hassan had abducted Ishyaku, murdered him, and buried his remains in a shallow grave along Dankuturu in Mutum Biyu.

The Chief Judge indicated that the prosecution's evidence regarding kidnapping and abduction was insufficient.

He also mentioned that the defense argued the police investigation was inadequate and that crucial witnesses were not called to testify during the trial.

On the charge of culpable homicide, Justice Agya noted that the defense contended there was no eyewitness to implicate the defendant, nor was the alleged murder weapon presented in court.

In assessing the overall case, Justice Agya determined that the evidence presented by the prosecution was weak, leading to the conclusion that the homicide was culpable but not meeting the criteria for death.

Speaking after the verdict, the deputy director of State Prosecution, Mrs. Ayiatsipu Johanna, expressed gratitude to the judge, stating the judgment provided valuable insights into legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the defense attorney, Mr. Dahiru Modibbo, who had previously urged the court to show clemency, announced plans to appeal the ruling.