A Gombe State High Court 8 sitting in Gombe has sentenced the District Head of Bangunji, Sulei Yerima, and one Shedrack Aliyu Kwan to death by hanging for culpable homicide.
Justice Abdulsalam Mohammad who delivered the judgement, also discharged and acquitted three other defendants, Hamisu Ingila, Shanono Sarkin Pawa and Joseph Sarkin Noma, for lack of sufficient evidence.
The defendants were arraigned on charges of criminal conspiracy, abetment, causing grievous hurt and culpable homicide contrary to Sections 97, 85, 241 and 221 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution told the court that on August 17, 2017, at Biwula village near Bangunji in Shongom LGA, the defendants conspired and attacked one Shu’aibu Sale Galadima and inflicted injuries that led to his death.
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The offence was said to have been carried out at the instigation of Shedrack Aliyu Kwan., while Joshua Michael was reported to be at large.
State counsel, Barrister Haruna Yelma, said the offences were punishable under the relevant sections of the Penal Code.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
During the trial, the prosecution called 10 witnesses and tendered several exhibits.
The defence counsel, Barrister Herbert Nnwoye, cross-examined the prosecution witnesses and later presented six defence witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Mohammad said the court carefully considered the five-count charge, evaluated the testimonies of witnesses from both sides and examined all exhibits tendered.
The judge held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against Sulei Yerima and Shedrack Aliyu Kwan, describing the evidence against them as credible and convincing.
However, the court ruled that the evidence against Hamisu Ingila, Shanono Sarkin Pawa and Joseph Sarkin Noma failed to establish their direct involvement in the crime, noting that their names were merely mentioned without substantive proof. The court therefore discharged and acquitted them.
Justice Mohammad subsequently found Sulei Yerima and Shedrack Aliyu Kwan guilty on all counts and sentenced them to death by hanging in accordance with the law.
