An Upper Shari’a Court sitting in Kano on Friday, fixed July 4, to hear the suit filed against Shafi’u Abubakar, 38, for allegedly setting a mosque on fire, killing 14 people.
Abubakar, who lives in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano, is charged with mischief by fire, causing grievous hurt and culpable homicide.
The offences are said to have contravened the provisions of sections 336, 247 and 221 of Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law.
At the resumed sitting, the Prosecution Counsel, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Kano State Ministry of Justice, Mr Salisu Tahir told the court that he received a copy of the case diary from the police.
“The death toll has risen from 14 to 19. We seek for another date to enable us file a new charge to add the exact number of victims and present our witnesses before the court,” Tahir said
The defendant was alleged to set fire on a mosque in Larabar Abasawa village of Gezawa local government area of Kano State and locked the doors, trapping worshippers in a burning fire on May 15.
The defendant pleaded guilty to all the three counts.
Auwal Abubakar, from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, announced his appearance for the defence after the court had on May 20, ordered the council to provide a lawyer for the defendant.
The presiding judge, Malam Halhalatu Zakariyya, ordered the prosecution counsel to furnish the defence counsel with all the facilities concerning the case.
Zakariyya ordered the remand of the defendant in a corrections centre and adjourned the matter until July 4, for hearing.
