Court sentences ex-student to death for murder of teacher

A High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State, has sentenced Odey Emmanuel, a former student of Government Science Technical College, Bukuru, to death by hanging for the murder of a teacher.

The ruling, delivered by Justice S. J. Bakfur, found Emmanuel guilty of culpable homicide, a charge punishable by death under Sections 188 and 189 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law (2017).

According to court records in Charge No. PLD/J178C/2021, the prosecution presented compelling evidence and successfully proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution was led by the Plateau State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Audu Daffi, Esq., represented by Chief State Counsels, Nanfe Mbap, Esq., and Solomon Gyang Deme, Esq.

The incident happened on July 30, 2022, in the premises of Government Science Technical College Bukuru in Jos South Local Government Area.

On the morning of the incident, the late Mr. Job Dashe, a staff member of the college, and a fellow teacher who were on duty, were supervising the serving of breakfast in the school kitchen around 9:30 a.m. and lunch around 2pm.

During this duty, the deceased was said to have confronted the student for violating school rules of collecting double rations, and eyewitnesses testified that following disciplinary action from Mr. Dashe and his colleague, 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 Mr. 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 Mr. Dashe had died before reaching the facility,” the prosecution said.

The defendant was arrested, charged, and arraigned before the court, and during the trial, the state prosecution presented their evidence, including medical reports, eyewitness testimonies, and police findings.

During the trial, the defense did not disprove the evidence brought forward by the state.

And in delivering the judgment therefore, Hon. Justice S. J. Bakfur stressed that 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 defendant was then found guilty of culpable homicide punishable with death and was sentenced to death by hanging.