A Kaduna State High Court has sentenced Victor Solomon, popularly known as Zidane, to death by hanging for murder, a ruling that has ignited widespread controversy, protests on social media, and renewed debate over self-defence, religious bias, and the administration of justice in Nigeria.
The judgment, delivered this week, follows Solomon’s arrest in 2018 after violence linked to attacks on his Adara community in Southern Kaduna. Supporters say he acted in self-defence during attacks by suspected Fulani gunmen, while critics of that narrative insist he was involved in criminal violence.
The case has drawn intense attention because Solomon was reportedly charged over the same incident in two different state high courts. While one court acquitted him, the Kaduna court convicted and sentenced him to death.
Confirming the development, Steven Kefas, a Kaduna-based commentator, wrote: “Breaking: Report reaching me has it that a Kaduna high court has sentenced Victor Solomon, popularly known as Zidane, to death by hanging for murder.” He added that Solomon “was charged for murder in two different state high courts, one of the courts acquitted him of the charge while the other now condemned him to death.”
Kefas questioned the legal basis for the parallel trials, asking: “Why should the same charges be filed in two different state high courts? This is another case of self-defence getting the death sentence in Nigeria.”
Christian advocacy group, Christian Emergency Alliance, also condemned the ruling, describing it as persecution. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the group stated: “Yet another Christian has been sentenced to death for the crime of self-defence. Victor Solomon (aka Zidane), a Christian who defended his community from Fulani Islamist attacks, has been sentenced to death for doing so.” The group further alleged bias, noting that “he was acquitted in one [court] but condemned in Kaduna by a Muslim judge.”
The organisation called for prayers and urgent intervention, saying: “This is not okay. Pray for Zidane, his family and community. He needs immediate help.”
The ruling has provoked a flood of reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing anger and fear. One user, Peter Ndukwe, wrote: “Death penalty for self-defence?? So if these terrorists come my side and I retaliate and kill one of them, this is how I’ll end up?” Another, Henry Adeyinka, lamented: “I have not seen any of those killer bandits in court; they only get rehabilitated and sent back into our communities.”
Others warned of broader consequences for public trust in the judiciary. Stony, another commentator, said: “If sections of people stop believing in the judgments of the court, this will further put a stain on the reputation of the institution. Final straw to anarchy.”
However, not all reactions supported Solomon. Engr. Abdoul, posting under the handle @Haydar_Abdoul, disputed the self-defence narrative, arguing: “Take the matter to the Supreme Court if you believe that’s injustice, someone who was a known criminal and mobilising youths to attack innocent Muslims unprovoked.”
Legal analysts say the case raises serious constitutional questions, particularly around double jeopardy, the principle that a person should not be tried twice for the same offence. Human rights advocates are also calling for an urgent appeal and a review of the circumstances surrounding the prosecution.
As pressure mounts locally and internationally, attention now turns to Solomon’s legal team and whether the case will proceed to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court. For many Nigerians, the outcome is being closely watched as a test of fairness, consistency, and confidence in the justice system.
