A Federal High Court sitting in Audu Bako Secretariat, Kano State, has ordered the remand of Sadiq Zubairu, 35, of Hotoron Arewa Quarters, Nassarawa LGA.
Zubairu is accused of the abduction and murder of his friend, Bello Bukar, a 45-year-old staff member of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
Zubairu confessed to conspiring with two other individuals, still at large, to kill Bello over an outstanding debt of N3 million. Zubairu had received the money from Bello under the false pretence of securing a job at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
The suspect also admitted to stealing Bello’s two mobile phones and his car, valued at N12 million. The car was later recovered by the police from a garage in Hotoro Quarters, Kano.
Zubairu was arraigned on charges of armed robbery and murder by Barrister Abdussalam Dan Maidaki. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Justice Yusuf Ubale Muhammad ordered Zubairu’s remand and adjourned the case until January 23, 2025, for witness testimony.
According to reports, Bello’s family reported him missing on Sunday, May 5, 2024, after he failed to return home. His body was subsequently discovered in Kumbotso Local Government Area.
Bello’s younger brother, Abdullahi Abubakar, stated that Bello had received an urgent call from Zubairu, a close friend and former colleague, before his disappearance.
The police spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed that Zubairu had fraudulently obtained N3 million from Bello under false pretences. Unable to repay the money, Zubairu conspired with two other individuals to murder Bello.
