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 on Monday, February 2, 2026, by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice 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. While the court discharged him on the charge of criminal conspiracy, it 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 ruling as a landmark judgment, noting that the trial lasted about 11 years.
According to Danladi, both the prosecution and the defence were given ample opportunity to present their cases before the court reached its decision.
“The court discharged the defendant on conspiracy but found him guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide. Judgment has been delivered without fear or favour,” he said.
Danladi explained that the victim, a herdsman, was attacked in the Kopuna area of a local government in the state, adding that evidence showed the killing occurred before the robbery.
“The victim was first shot before he was dispossessed of his valuables and money,” he said, adding that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to criminal elements.
However, defence counsel, Chidi Okorie Kanu, faulted the judgment and announced plans to challenge it at the appellate court.
“The journey of this litigation does not stop here,” Kanu said, adding that although the defence appreciated the efforts of the trial court in concluding a case that lasted over a decade, it was dissatisfied with the outcome.
He said the defence would study the judgment and file an appeal, citing alleged inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.
“One of the prosecution witnesses, PW1, could not even remember making a statement at the State CID. If she could not remember making such a statement, how could she reliably remember seeing the defendant on the day of the incident?” he asked.
Kanu added that the matter would be taken to the Court of Appeal to test the propriety of the decision.
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