A Nasarawa State High Court sitting in Lafia has sentenced Saidu Idi to death by hanging for armed robbery and culpable homicide.
The judgment was delivered by the Chief Judge of the state, Aisha Muhammed-Usman. Idi was arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide in connection with an incident that occurred in 2015.
The court discharged him on the count of criminal conspiracy but found him guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide.
The Attorney-General of Nasarawa State and Commissioner for Justice, Isaac Danladi, who prosecuted the case, described the judgment as a landmark decision.
“This is a case that has lasted for about 11 years. Both the prosecution and the defence were given the opportunity to present their cases. The court discharged the defendant on conspiracy but found him guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide. Judgment has now been served without fear or favour,” Danladi said.
He explained that the victim, a herdsman, was attacked in the Kokona area of the state, adding that evidence showed the killing preceded the robbery.
“The victim was first shot before he was dispossessed of his valuables and money,” he said, noting that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to criminal elements.
Meanwhile, defence counsel Chidi Okorie Kanu faulted the ruling and announced plans to challenge it at the Court of 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,” Kanu said.
He added that the defence would study the ruling and file an appeal, citing alleged inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, including the testimony of one prosecution witness who, he said, could not recall making a statement at the State CID.
Kanu maintained that the matter would be taken to the Court of Appeal to test the propriety of the decision.
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