IN a significant ruling, a Nigerian court has sentenced Frank Geng-Quangrong, a Chinese national, to death for the murder of his girlfriend, 22-year-old Ummukulsum Sani, at a residence in Kano state. This verdict comes after Geng-Quangrong’s plea of not guilty and marks a stern warning to foreigners regarding adherence to local laws.
‘This is a signal that whoever is coming to a society should be prepared to comply with the extant laws of that society,’ stated Kano Justice Commissioner Haruna Dederi
In Nigeria, death sentences for capital offences involving foreigners are not uncommon. In a similar case in 2022, a Danish man received a death sentence for the murder of his wife and daughter. However, executions are rare and require approval from state governors.
According to Nigerian human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, ‘Only two warrants for death sentences have been signed since 1999.’ This underscores the rarity of executions despite the prevalence of death penalties in the country.
Geng-Quangrong’s defence claimed self-defence in the stabbing incident that led to Sani’s death in September 2022. However, the court found him guilty, leading to the severe penalty.
‘This verdict reflects the gravity of the offence and the need for justice to prevail,’ remarked a judicial official involved in the case.
Geng-Quangrong now has three months to appeal his sentence at Nigeria’s Court of Appeal. The outcome of the appeal will determine whether the recommendation for execution stands, highlighting the legal complexities surrounding the case and the potential consequences for the convicted individual.