A High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State capital has sentenced a final-year student of Government Science Technical College, Bukuru, Jos South local government area of the state to death by hanging for the murder of a teacher.
The student, identified as Odey Emmanuel, was convicted of culpable homicide which is punishable with death.
According to the Prosecution, the offence is contrary to Sections 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State, 2017, in Charge No. PLD/J178C/2021.
Presiding judge Justice S. J. Bakfur held that the prosecution, led by the Plateau State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Audu Daffi, Esq., represented by Chief State Counsels, Nanfe Mbap, Esq., and Solomon Gyang Deme, Esq., proved the case against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
Prosecution argued that the tragic incident occurred on July 30, 2022, within the premises of Government Science Technical College, Bukuru, located in Jos South local government area.
On the morning of the incident, the late Mr. Job Dashe, a staff of the college, and a fellow teacher who were on duty, were reportedly supervising the serving of breakfast in the school kitchen around 9:30 a.m. and lunch around 2pm.
Prosecution said it was during this duty that the deceased confronted the student, Emmanuel for violating school rules of collecting double rations.
Eyewitnesses testified that following disciplinary action from Mr. Dashe and his colleague, the student became visibly agitated and confrontational.
According to testimonies from five prosecution witnesses comprising school staff, law enforcement officers, and medical personnel from Mercy Seat Hospital, the convict openly threatened the deceased.
Witnesses also recalled Emmanuel saying, “I shall do it, nobody will stop me,” and later declaring, “I must hurt this teacher,” while fellow students reportedly cheered him on.
In order to actualise the threat, Emmanuel was said to have accessed a knife and stabbed Mr. Dashe on the right-hand side of his chest.
Teachers at the scene immediately rushed the victim to Mercy Seat Hospital, but upon arrival, doctors confirmed that Mr. Dashe was brought in dead.
The defendant was subsequently arrested, charged, and arraigned before the court.
During the trial, the state prosecution presented evidence, including medical reports, eyewitness testimonies, and police findings that corroborated the sequence of events.
The defense failed to disprove the evidence brought against him by the state.
Delivering the judgment, JusticeĀ Bakfur noted the premeditated nature of the attack, the public setting in which it occurred, and the clear intent expressed by the defendant prior to the act.
He emphasised that such acts of violence within educational institutions pose a grave threat to society and must be met with the full force of the law.
“Odey Emmanuel was therefore found guilty of culpable homicide punishable with death and was sentenced to death by hanging,” the Judge ruled.
