A Kano Shari’a Court on Friday sentenced a 28-year-old man, Abdullahi Umar, to 33 months in correctional center with 40 strokes of cane for desecrating a grave in the state.
Mr Umar, who lives in Sharada Quarters, Kano, was shown in a viral video standing astride a grave of the mother of his adversary, hurling invective.
His action drew widespread condemnation in the state.
Mr Umar, popularly known as ‘Yardubu, was subsequently arrested by police and after investigation, he was charged to court.
He was convicted after pleading guilty to a five-count charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, public nuisance, inciting disturbance and cyber-stalking.
The presiding judge, Nura Ahmad, therefore sentenced the defendant to three months imprisonment or pay a fine of N5,000 for conspiracy; six months imprisonment without option of fine for criminal trespass; 18 months imprisonment without option of fine for public nuisance and inciting disturbance and; six months imprisonment or payment of a fine of N30,000 for cyber-stalking and 40 strokes of cane.
The Prosecution Counsel, Aliyu Abideen, had informed the court that a good Samaritan reported the matter at Sharada Police Division Kano on August 13.
He said that on August 9, at about 3:30 p.m. the defendant and one Mummunai, now at large, trespassed into Maidile cemetery and recorded a video of Mr Umar uttering profanities on a grave.
“The duo went straight to the grave of the mother of one Abubakar Mai-Abinduniya because they had a little misunderstanding, urinated on her grave and recorded the act on video,” he said.
Mr Abideen also said that the defendant later posted the recorded video on social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp, which generated condemnation from the public.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 120, 212, 341, 275 and 404 of Kano State Shari’a Law.
