Justice S. J. Bakfur of Plateau State High Court has sentenced a secondary school leaver Odey Emmanuel to death by hanging for murdering a teacher.
Bakfur while passing the sentence said Emmanuel, who is a former student of Government Science Technical College in Bukuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, was convicted for culpable homicide punishable with death, contrary to Sections 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State, 2017, in Charge No. PLD/J178C/2021.
The court said the prosecutor had proved the case against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.
Bakfur said such acts of violence within educational institutions pose a grave threat to society and must be met with the full force of the law.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Audu Daffi, Esq., who led the prosecution was represented by Chief State Counsels, Nanfe Mbap, Esq., and Solomon Gyang Deme, Esq.
Emmanuel reportedly murdered a staff member of the college, the late Mr. Job Dashe on July 30, 2022, in the premises of Government Science Technical College Bukuru in Jos South Local Government Area.
On the morninging of the incidentDashe and other teachers were on duty, supervising the serving of breakfast in the school kitchen around 9:30 a.m. and lunch around 2pm.
The convict was said to have violated the school’s rules of collecting double rations, which attracted a reprimand and discipline from Dashe and his colleague.
Eyewitnesses said following disciplinary action from . Dashe, the student became agitated and confrontational.
According to testimonies from five prosecution witnesses — comprising school staff, law enforcement officers, and medical personnel from Mercy Seat Hospital — the defendant openly threatened the deceased.
Witnesses recalled Emmanuel saying, “I shall do it, nobody will stop me. I must hurt this teacher.” Meanwhile his fellow students reportedly cheered him on.
“Thereafter, Emmanuel was said to have produced a knife and stabbed. Dashe in the chest, specifically near the right-hand side. Teachers at the scene rushed the victim to the hospital, but upon arrival, doctors confirmed that. Dashe had died before reaching the facility,” the prosecution said.
The police arrested the defendant, charged and arraigned him before the court.
The state prosecutor presented their evidence, including medical reports, eyewitness testimonies, and police findings during the defendant’s trial
Emmnauel confirmed the evidence brought forward by the state and the court accordingly sentenced him to death by hanging for homicide.
