After 11 Years Trial, Nasarawa Court Sentences Man To Death For Murder

A Nasarawa State High Court sitting in Lafia has sentenced a man, Saidu Idi, to death by hanging for armed robbery and culpable homicide.

Idi was convicted for killing one Hardo Adamu Buli, a resident of Kokona local government area, during an armed robbery operation in 2015.

Delivering judgment in the case, the chief judge, Justice Aisha Mohammed Usman, found the defendant guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide punishable by death.

Justice Usman held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was responsible for the unlawful killing of the deceased.

She averred that the sentence was in line with the provisions of the state’s criminal laws.

Speaking shortly after the ruling, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Isaac Danladi, who personally appeared and led the prosecution team on behalf of the state, said justice has been served in the case that has lingered for over a decade.

He noted that the verdict would serve as a deterrent to violent crimes across the state.

The Attorney General explained that the case involved charges of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide under the relevant laws of the federation.

e said the court discharged the defendant on the charge of criminal conspiracy but convicted him on the remaining counts.

“At the end of the proceedings, the defendant was discharged on the conspiracy charge but found guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide.

He was accordingly sentenced to death by hanging,” he stated.

He noted that the victim was first shot before he was dispossessed of his valuables and money.

On his part, defence counsel Chidi Okorie Kanu faulted the judgment, alleging inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.

He said the defence would study the judgment and file an appeal

“The journey of this litigation does not stop here. “We appreciate the efforts of the Honourable Chief Judge of Nasarawa State Judiciary, and we are thankful that a case of over 11 years has come to an end at the trial court. But we are not satisfied with the judgment,” he said.