By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
A Minna High Court has convicted and sentenced a man, Tunde Tayo, to death by hanging for the murder of one Abdullahi Janiya Yahaya of Maitumbi area, Minna, the state capital, in 2019.
The High Court Judge, Justice Mohammed Mohammed, handed down the death sentence in a judgement that lasted for over two hours.
Justice Mohammed Mohammed, while reviewing the case held that the circumstanciial evidence against the accused by the prosecutor was strong, cogent and direct to justify the death sentence.
The convict, according to the Judge was arraigned on two count charges of armed robbery and culpable homicide under sections 298 and 221 of the penal code
Tayo and his friends who are now at large were accused of cutting off the head of the deceased and burying the body in a shallow grave inside an uncompleted building in Maitumbi area of Minna on 13th September, 2019.
The Judge also held that the convict admitted in his statement to the police that he owns the uncompleted building, adding that, "although he denied killing the deceased.
"Circumstancial evidence established that he (Tayo) was the last person that was seen with the deceased and that he committed the crime".
According to Justice Mohammed Mohammed, "On the charge of robbery on section 298 of penal code, you are sentenced to life imprisonment.
"On the second count charges of culpable homicide under section 221 of the penal code law, you Tunde Tayo, is hereby convicted and sentenced to death by hanging until you die. May Almighty God have mercy on your soul". NNL.
