A man standing trial for the murder of his aunt and her six children has told a Kano State High Court that he committed the killings alone.
Umar Auwalu made the confession on Wednesday while testifying in his defence before Justice Nasiru Saminu of High Court No. 11 in Kano.
He insisted that his two co-defendants, Isyaku Yakubu also known as Chobe, and Yakubu Dayyabu, had no involvement in the crime.
The case relates to the alleged killing of seven members of one family in the Ciranci area of Kano. The incident drew widespread attention due to its brutality.
“I alone killed my aunt and her six children. Isyaku Yakubu Chobe and Yakubu Dayyabu had no hand in the incident,” Umar told the court.
He further claimed that he had earlier implicated the two co-defendants after allegedly enduring severe hardship and pressure at the hands of police officers following his arrest.
He also told the court that a traditional spiritualist had given him a perfume, which he described as a charm, and instructed him to continue committing the type of offences he had previously carried out.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution team led by Barrister Safiya Yalwati and Barrister Zaharaddeen Hamisu Kofar Mata presented the investigating police officer, Corporal Aliyu Jamilu.
The defence counsel opened its case and called witnesses.
Justice Nasiru Saminuadjourned the matter after hearing from both sides.