Three men accused of killing a housewife and her six children in Kano are set to face fresh criminal charges before a state High Court.

The suspects — Umar Auwalu, 23; Isyaku Yakubu, 40; and Yakubu Abdulaziz, 21 — are facing eight charges. The offences include conspiracy, criminal trespass, robbery, culpable homicide, rape, arson, possession of dangerous weapons, and causing bodily harm.

The case relates to the killing of 35-year-old Fatima Abubakar and her six children in the Dorayi Chiranchi area of Kano earlier this year.

The defendants were previously standing trial before a Chief Magistrate’s Court after their arrest by the Kano State Police Command, which initiated the case following intelligence-led investigations.

During proceedings on Wednesday, the Kano State Solicitor-General, Salisu Muhammad-Tahir, informed the magistrate that the state government had reviewed the matter after uncovering additional evidence against the suspects.

He told the court that new charges had already been filed before Kano State High Court 11 to ensure justice for the seven victims.

According to the prosecutor, the alleged offences contravene several provisions of the Penal Code relating to murder and other serious crimes.

Muhammad-Tahir further disclosed that additional individuals had been arrested in connection with the incident. However, the three principal suspects will face trial on the eight charges linked to the killings.

“We have prepared and filed the charges, and the matter has been assigned to State High Court 11 presided over by Justice Nasiru Saminu,” the Solicitor-General said.

He added that the original case file contained the names of five suspects, including Sama’ila Garba, who is currently at large, and Umar Ali.

However, he noted that legal advice may lead to the charges against the fourth and fifth suspects being dropped.

The prosecutor also told the court that the suspects are expected to be formally arraigned at the High Court on April 1, 2026.

He explained that the earlier case filed by the police at the Magistrate’s Court would be discontinued once the suspects take their plea at the High Court.

Defence counsel A. S. Tunkuye informed the court that he had no objection to the transfer of the case to the High Court.

Chief Magistrate Auwal Yusuf-Suleiman subsequently ordered that the suspects remain in a correctional facility and adjourned the matter until April 8 for further mention.