A Gombe State High Court sitting in Court No. 5 on Wednesday sentenced two men, Buhari Sule and Muktari Ali Hilami, to death by hanging for armed robbery and the murder of 35-year-old Murtala Rabi’u.
The court heard that the defendants robbed Rabi’u of an Itel keypad phone without a SIM card and N7,400 in cash, which they allegedly shared after dumping his body in a maize farm.
The charges were read and explained to the defendants, but both pleaded not guilty.
During the trial, the prosecution called two witnesses, who testified before the court and were cross-examined by defence counsel, Dan Mamman. The defence subsequently called one witness, who was also cross-examined by the prosecution.
Delivering judgment, Justice Haruna said the court had carefully considered the evidence presented by both sides, including the testimony of the witnesses.
“The court has gone through all the charges brought by the prosecution, the evidence of the witnesses and the testimony presented by the defence,” the judge said.
Justice Haruna held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, placing particular reliance on the testimony of the first prosecution witness.
“The prosecution has established its case and proved the allegations against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt,” he ruled.
The judge further held that the defendants had failed to establish a defence against the charges.
The court consequently found Buhari Sule and Muktari Ali Hilami guilty of armed robbery and murder and sentenced both men to death by hanging. :::
