Hunter Kills ‘Son’ Over Sale Of Ilicit Substances In Adamawa

A 50-year-old hunter, Thomas Ajagu, of Toungo local government area of Adamawa State, has shot dead his foster son, Ushahemba Ajagu, over arguments between the duo on the sale of dry-gin and illicit substances by the deceased.

Thomas killed Ushahemba after heated arguments as the duo could not address their misunderstanding on the sale of tramadol, indian hemp, gin and as well as construction of a tent for the purpose.

Thomas, who pleaded guilty to the charges of unlawful possession of weapon and culpable homicide before a Chief Magistrate’s Court 1, also agreed to have killed the deceased.

The defendant, who hails from Bela village in Toungo LGA, killed Ushahemba, on July 24, 2022, with a single barrel gun.

But during his arraignment before a Chief Magistrate’s Court 1 on Wednesday, the defendant explained that he killed the victim in self-defence.

He admitted that he brought up the deceased following the demise of his real father, and that he had been having a running battles with him since he grew up and engaged in selling of such illicit substances.

He stated that he warned the deceased on several occasions to the extent of reporting him to the Hunters’ Union and the Police in Toungo LGA for him to stop dealing in the illicit substances but to no avail.

He said upon his return from farm on the fateful day, he met the deceased in company of his friends smoking indian hemp and trying to erect a tent where he will sell the illicit substances.

According to him, he stopped them from erecting the tent, but out of provocation, the deceased entered the house and armed himself with a cutlass and confronted him in an attempt to attack him.

He averred that he accidentally fired gunshot while trying to defend himself from being hit with the cutlass as a result of which Ushahemba was hit and he fell down.

After the defendant’s plea, the prosecutor, Inspector S.S. Nicholas, informed the court that investigation had been concluded, and that the matter be adjourned to enable them transmit the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

The court presided by Chief Magistrate Mohammed Buba granted the application and adjourned the matter to August 23, 2022.