By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe
The Gombe State High Court No. 5 has sentenced two men, Buhari Sule and Muktari Ali Hilami, to death by hanging for the murder of a 35-year-old man, Murtala Rabi’u.
The court, presided over by Justice Muhammad Auwal Haruna, also convicted the two men of criminal conspiracy and armed robbery over their involvement in the attack on the deceased at Garin Galadima village, near Pindiga in Akko Local Government Area of the state.
The prosecution told the court that the incident occurred on September 18, 2025, at about 4pm, when the defendants allegedly conspired and armed themselves with dangerous weapons, including sticks and hoes, before attacking Rabi’u.
They were also accused of dispossessing the deceased of an Itel keypad mobile phone without a SIM card and N7,400 in cash.
According to the prosecution, after the attack, the defendants shared the stolen money among themselves and dumped the victim’s body in a maize farm.
The deceased reportedly sustained serious injuries during the attack and later died from the injuries.
The charges were filed under Sections 97, 297 and 221 of the Penal Code Law.
When the charges were read and explained to them at the commencement of the trial, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
In the course of the trial, the prosecution called two witnesses, who testified before the court and were cross-examined by the defence counsel, Barrister A.B. Danmamman.
The defence also called one witness, who was cross-examined by the prosecution counsel.
Delivering judgment, Justice Haruna said he had carefully considered the charges, evidence presented by the prosecution and the testimony of the defence witness.
The judge held that the prosecution had established its case and proved the allegations against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt, particularly through the testimony of the first prosecution witness.
He further held that the defendants failed to establish a credible defence to the charges.
Justice Haruna consequently convicted Buhari Sule and Muktari Ali Hilami of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide.
He sentenced each of them to death by hanging by the neck until they are dead.
The prosecution was led by Barrister Abdulkadir Umar Ibrahim, while Barrister A.B. Danmamman represented the defendants.
