A Minna High Court 1 has ordered the remand of three accused standing trial for culpable homicide not punishable by death.
The three defendants in the case we’re Bulus Tanko, Dogara Vincent and Ishaya Vincent arraigned on two count charges which include culpable homicide contrary to section 224 to be read with section 79 of the penal code and committing indignity on human corpse, to wit for setting fire on the corpse contrary to Section 213 of the Penal Code
The defendants, all residents of Dakolo village of Kafin Koro area of Paikoro local government area, were arraigned by the office of the attorney general/commissioner of justice of Niger State and prosecuted by principal state counsel, Jibrin Khalifa.
The particular of the charge brought against them read in part: “That you Bulus Tanko Dogara Vincent and Ishaya Vincent all of Dalolo village in Paikoro local government area of Niger State within the jurisdiction of this court jointly commit culpable homicide not punishable with death”.
“To wit you chased broke into the house of Bulus Tanko took away his motorcycle and he was running with it being a perpetual criminal in your town you inflicting bodily injuries on him with cutlass sticks which led to his death” it further read.
The charge sheet, for count two was for committing indignity on human corpse “to wit you set fire to the corpse contrary to section 213 of penal Cap 94 Laws of Niger State of Nigeria 1988” adding that the defendants had set the corpse of the deceased on fire after beating him to death on the allegation of stealing his motorcycle in his house.
When the charges were read to the defendants by the chief judge, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, they all pleaded not guilty while the principal state counsel Jibrin Khalifa told the court that they will present their witnesses in the next adjourned date for the hearing in to the matter to commence.
The defence counsel Barrister Nana Hauwa Isah then made an oral application for their bail which was turned down by the chief judge and she ordered for their remand in correctional custody and adjourned the case till February 28, 2024.
