A Kaduna State High Court on Wednesday sentenced Victor Solomon, a well-known local figure popularly called “Zidane,” to death by hanging following a conviction for murder.
Solomon was originally arrested in 2018 under the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. His detention drew significant attention at the time, as local supporters and community leaders maintained that his actions were not criminal, but rather an act of self-defense.
Members of the Adara community have long argued that Solomon was defending his people against coordinated attacks by suspected armed bandits and militants targeting local villages.
The legal proceedings against Solomon were notably complex, involving murder charges filed in two separate state high courts. In a previous ruling by a different court, Solomon had been acquitted of the charges brought against him. However, the prosecution in the second case successfully argued for a conviction, leading to yesterday’s death sentence.
The verdict has sparked renewed debate over the security situation in Kaduna and the legal protections afforded to individuals claiming self-defense during community attacks. Legal representatives for Solomon have not yet confirmed if they intend to file an appeal against the judgment.
