A High Court of Nasarawa State sitting in Lafia has sentenced Saidu Idi to death by hanging after finding him guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide.
The verdict was delivered on Monday by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Aisha Muhammed Usman, in a case linked to an incident that occurred in 2015.
Idi was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide.
While the court discharged him on the charge of conspiracy, it held that the prosecution proved the offences of armed robbery and culpable homicide beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the court, the victim, identified as a herdsman, was attacked in the Kopuna area of one of the local government areas in the state.
Evidence presented before the court showed that the victim was first shot before his money and other valuables were taken.
The Attorney-General of Nasarawa State and Commissioner for Justice, Isaac Danladi, who led the prosecution, described the judgment as a landmark, noting that the case had lasted for about 11 years.
He said both the prosecution and the defence were given adequate opportunity to present their cases, stressing that the court delivered its judgment without fear or favour.
Danladi added that the ruling would serve as a deterrent to criminals in the state.
However, counsel to the defendant, Chidi Okorie Kanu, faulted the judgment and announced plans to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
Kanu said the defence was dissatisfied with the decision and would carefully study the judgment before filing an appeal.
He cited alleged inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, particularly the testimony of one of the witnesses, whom he said could not clearly recall making a statement to the police.
According to him, the appellate court would be asked to review the propriety of the conviction and sentence.
