From 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 35-year-old Murtala Rabi’u.
Justice Muhammad Auwal Haruna, in his judgment, also found the two men guilty of criminal conspiracy and armed robbery over the attack on the deceased at Garin Galadima village, near Pindiga in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The court heard 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.
The prosecution told the court that the defendants robbed the deceased of an Itel keypad mobile phone without a SIM card and N7,400 in cash.
It further said that after the attack, the defendants shared the stolen money and dumped the victim’s body in a maize farm.
Rabi’u, who sustained serious injuries during the attack, later died from the injuries.
The defendants were charged under Sections 97, 297 and 221 of the Penal Code Law and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the trial, the prosecution called two witnesses, while the defence called one witness. The witnesses were cross-examined by counsel on both sides.
Delivering judgment, Justice Haruna said he carefully considered the charges, evidence presented by the prosecution and the testimony of the defence witness.
He held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, particularly through the evidence of the first prosecution witness.
The judge further ruled that the defence failed to provide credible evidence capable of creating reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case.
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 dead.
Barrister Abdulkadir Umar Ibrahim prosecuted the case, while Barrister A.B. Danmamman represented the defendants.