Abubakar Musa, a 45‑year‑old resident of [Damaturu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damaturu), was handed a death‑by‑hanging sentence by the [Yobe State High Court](https://yobestate.gov.ng) 1 on Wednesday after being found guilty of killing his wife, Ammi Mamman, at the New Bra‑Bra Housing Estate in the city.
**When was Musa apprehended?**
Musa was taken into custody on 4 January 2024 by officers of the [Yobe State Police Command](https://yobestate.gov.ng/police) after investigators linked him to the fatal assault on his spouse. He was subsequently charged with [culpable homicide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manslaughter) and placed before the court for trial.
**What did the court decide?**
The High Court dismissed Musa’s not‑guilty plea, stating that the defence could not survive the weight of credible evidence presented by the prosecution. In its judgment, the bench affirmed that every element of culpable homicide had been proven beyond reasonable doubt.
**Key facts from the judgment**
- The crime occurred roughly two years before the sentencing, placing the incident in early 2022.
- Musa’s arrest date: 4 January 2024.
- The court’s ruling was delivered on 17 October 2026.
- The presiding judge remarked, "The evidence presented leaves no room for a not‑guilty plea."
- Under Nigerian law, the convicted individual may lodge an appeal within the statutory period; failure to do so will result in the execution of the death sentence.
**What are the next steps?**
Musa now has a limited window to file an appeal to a higher court. If the appeal is not lodged or is dismissed, the execution of the hanging sentence will proceed in accordance with the legal provisions governing capital punishment in Nigeria.
The case underscores the judiciary’s willingness to impose the maximum penalty for severe violent crimes and highlights the procedural timeline from arrest to final sentencing in high‑profile homicide cases.