….As Defence Counsel Faults Judgement
Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
A High Court sitting in Nasarawa State, presided over by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Aisha Muhammed Usman, has sentenced Saidu Idi to death by hanging.
He was sentenced to death after the court finds him guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide in a case that tarried over 11 years.
The offences were committed in 2015, and Idi was arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide under the relevant laws of the state.
In her judgment, Justice Usman discharged the defendant on the count of criminal conspiracy, but found him guilty as charged on the remaining two counts.
However, reacting to the ruling, the Attorney-General of Nasarawa State and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Isaac Danladi, who prosecuted the case, described the judgment as a landmark decision.
“This is a case that has lasted for about 11 years. Both the prosecution and the defence were given the opportunity to present their cases,” Danladi said.
“At the end of the day, the court discharged the defendant on conspiracy but found him guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide. Judgment has now been served without fear or favour.”
He said the victim was a herdsman who was attacked in Kopuna area of a local government in the state, adding that evidence before the court showed that the killing preceded the robbery.
“The victim was first shot before he was dispossessed of his valuables and money,” the Attorney-General said, noting 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. “We appreciate the efforts of the Honourable Chief Judge of Nasarawa State Judiciary, and we are thankful that a case of over 11 years has come to an end at the trial court. But we are not satisfied with the judgment.”
Kanu 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,” he said. “If she could not remember making such a statement, how could she reliably remember seeing the defendant on the day of the incident?”
He added that the matter would be taken to the Court of Appeal to test the propriety of the decision.
