Court Sentences Ex-Soldier To Death Over Murder Of Yobe Islamic Cleric

A Yobe State High Court, sitting in Potiskum, Yobe State, has sentenced a dismissed soldier, Lance Corporal John Gabriel, to death by hanging for killing an Islamic cleric, late Sheikh Goni Aisami.

The court also sentenced Gabriel’s accomplice, Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon, to 10 years imprisonment.

Sheikh Aisami, a popular Islamic scholar based in Gashua, Yobe State, was murdered in Karasuwa local government area of the State by Gabriel whom he gave a free ride on his way to Gashua from Kano State on August 22, 2022.

The trial judge, Justice Usman Zanna Mohammed, who gave the verdict convicted Gabriel with Service Number: N/A13/69/6522, attached to 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru, and Gideon after he had found them guilty of murder and conspiracy, respectively.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Mohammed held that after careful consideration of the facts before the court and the failure of the defendants to provide essential witnesses to corroborate their claims, they were sentenced in line with the provisions of the law.

When asked if he had any objection, Gabriel confessed that he murdered the renowned Islamic cleric.

LEADERSHIP reports that the Yobe State Government, through its Ministry of Justice, prosecuted the duo.