Northern CAN pledges to monitor Zidane’s case, seek justice

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has pledged to closely monitor the case of Victor Solomon, widely known as Zidane, who was sentenced to death by a Kaduna State High Court for murder related to a 2018 incident in southern Kaduna.
Rev. Joseph John Hayab, Chairman of Northern CAN, emphasized that the judgment is not final and that the legal process allows for an appeal.
Solomon was arrested in 2018 during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and was arraigned on similar charges before two different state high courts.
While one court discharged and acquitted him, another court in Kaduna later convicted him, leading to public controversy.
Many Nigerians have considered the judgment a miscarriage of justice, arguing that Solomon acted within his constitutional right to self-defense while protecting his community from a violent attack.
Hayab referenced the case of Sunday Jackson, a farmer from Adamawa State whose death sentence for killing an attacker in self-defense was initially upheld by the Supreme Court. However, it was later set aside after the Adamawa State Government granted him clemency following widespread public outcry.
He asserted that the court should take lessons from Jackson’s case, highlighting that Solomon’s situation raises serious legal and moral questions, particularly given his earlier acquittal by a competent court.
The Northern Christian leader added that CAN remains actively engaged in the matter to ensure that justice prevails.
He stated that the organization will continue to monitor the case and advocate for a fair and just outcome.