The Proprietor of Noble Kids School in Kano State, Abdulmalik Tanko, alongside his accomplices, arraigned before the court on Monday, has pleaded not guilty in the murder of five (5) years old Hanifa Abubakar, who was allegedly killed with a rat poison by proprietor Tanko.
Although Tanko had earlier confessed to the Kano state police command that he killed the minor with a N100 worth of rat poison, but he denied his involvement in the crime on Monday during the court hearing.
SarahReports had earlier narrated how Abdulmalik Tanko, and some other members of his gang, abducted, killed and buried Hanifa Abubakar in a shallow grave close to his school even after demanding the sum of N6 million from her family.
Police reports had also confirmed the incident with an additional fact that, Tanko had led police officers team to the site where little Hanifa was buried, and that her remains had been handed over to her family for proper burial.
However, shock rocked the court room on Monday when defendant Tanko and his team, pleaded guilty only to just the first count charge, which is conspiracy; but pleaded not guilty to the (4) other count charges, which bothered on kidnapping, demanding of ransom, murder and burial of Hanifa in a shallow grave.
The case has been adjourned until March 2 and 3, 2022, while the accused persons were remanded in the correctional facilities.
While the incident generated widespread condemnation, from home and abroad, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, was one of Nigerian distinguished personalities, who has visited the Abubakar’s family Kano state home, to commiserate with them.