Katsina Court Sentences Two to Death for Murder of Ex-Commissioner Rabe Nasir

The Katsina State High Court 9, presided over by Justice I. I. Mashi, has sentenced two men to death for the murder of former Commissioner for Science and Technology, Rabe Nasir.

Nasir was assassinated on December 8, 2021, at his residence in Fatima Shema Housing Estate, Katsina. According to court findings, the two convicts—Shamsu Lawal, a former security guard, and Tasi’u Rabi’u, a cook—poisoned the commissioner after a failed robbery attempt.

Medical reports and police investigations confirmed the presence of poison in the deceased’s body.

In addition to the death sentences handed to Lawal and Rabi’u, the court sentenced another former guard, Sani Sa’adu, to five years in prison for concealing vital information regarding the crime.

However, the court acquitted a fourth defendant, Gift Bako, citing insufficient evidence linking her to the murder. Her lawyer welcomed the judgment, describing it as one “based on the truth.”

Both the prosecution and defence expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the trial and the final verdict. Counsel to the convicts, Ahmad Kankia, pleaded for leniency on behalf of his clients, noting they had families and dependents.

On the other hand, the prosecution maintained that justice had been served in accordance with the law.

Following the judgment, the convicts appeared visibly shaken as they were led away by security operatives. In contrast, the family and legal representatives of Gift Bako expressed relief and joy over her acquittal.

Rabe Nasir, a prominent public servant, had served as the Commissioner for Science and Technology under former Governor Aminu Masari’s administration. He was previously a federal lawmaker representing Mani and Bindawa Federal Constituency in 2003 and had also worked with the Department of State Services.

His assassination sparked widespread mourning, and he was laid to rest on Friday, December 10, 2021, at the Gidan-Dawa Cemetery in Katsina.