By Deborah Nnamdi
A High Court sitting in Bauchi State has sentenced Usman Abdullahi to death by hanging for the murder of Zaidu Adamu Kofar Dumi following an argument over a phone charger.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Sa’ad Muhammad Sambuwal of the High Court on Tuesday, found Abdullahi guilty of grievous harm and culpable homicide, offenses contrary to Sections 239 and 221 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution, led by Barrister Abubakar Ahmed Kobi from the State Ministry of Justice, informed the court that on May 12, 2021, the defendant had a disagreement with Zaidu Adamu and his friend, Ziya’u Abdulhadi, over a phone charger.
During the altercation, Abdullahi was said to have used a knife to stab Zaidu multiple times.
Zaidu was reportedly rushed to the Specialist Hospital Bauchi, where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel.
The trial commenced on December 30, 2021, with the prosecution charging the defendant on two counts: causing grievous hurt and culpable homicide. The Prosecutor told the court that the victim was stabbed in the stomach, neck, and other parts of his body.
The defense counsel, Barrister Naziru Umar, presented two witnesses and pleaded for leniency on behalf of his client.
After reviewing the submissions from both parties, Justice Sambuwal ruled: “I hereby convict Usman Abdullahi for the offense of culpable homicide punishable by death. You shall be hanged by the neck until you die, by Section 221 of the Penal Code.
“For the offense of grievous hurt, you are sentenced to five years in correctional service, as stipulated under Section 239 of the Penal Code.”
