By Israel Adamu, Jos
A High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State, has sentenced a final-year student of Government Science Technical College, Bukuru, to death by hanging for the murder of a teacher.
The student, identified as Odey Emmanuel, was convicted of culpable homicide punishable by death, contrary to Sections 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State, 2017, under Charge No. PLD/J178C/2021.
Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice S. J. Bakfur held that the prosecution, led by the Plateau State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Audu Daffi, Esq., and represented by Chief State Counsels Nanfe Mbap, Esq., and Solomon Gyang Deme, Esq., proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecution stated that the incident occurred on July 30, 2022, at Government Science Technical College, Bukuru, in Jos South Local Government Area.
On that day, the late Mr. Job Dashe, a teacher at the college, was supervising meal distribution along with a colleague — breakfast around 9:30 a.m. and lunch around 2:00 p.m. During the exercise, Mr. Dashe confronted the defendant for violating school rules by collecting double rations.
According to witness testimonies, the confrontation escalated after Mr. Dashe attempted to discipline the student. Emmanuel reportedly became visibly agitated and threatened the teacher, declaring, “I shall do it, nobody will stop me,” and later, “I must hurt this teacher,” while other students allegedly encouraged him.
The prosecution said Emmanuel then pulled out a knife and stabbed Mr. Dashe in the chest, near the right side. Staff members rushed the injured teacher to Mercy Seat Hospital, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.
The state presented five prosecution witnesses, including school staff, law enforcement personnel, and medical staff from Mercy Seat Hospital. Their testimonies, alongside medical reports and police findings, corroborated the timeline and cause of death.
The defense failed to disprove the prosecution’s case or raise reasonable doubt.
In his ruling, Justice Bakfur emphasized the premeditated nature of the act, the public setting within an academic environment, and the defendant’s clear intent as evidenced by his threats before the attack.
“The court considers this a grave and deliberate act of violence, especially within an institution of learning, and such conduct must attract the full weight of the law,” he stated.
Consequently, the court found Odey Emmanuel guilty of culpable homicide punishable by death and sentenced him to death by hanging.
