Court sentences two men to death by hanging for murder, armed robbery in Gombe

By 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 a 35-year-old man, Murtala Rabi’u.

The court, presided over by Justice Muhammad Auwal Haruna, also convicted the two men of criminal conspiracy and armed robbery in connection with the attack on the deceased at Garin Galadima village, near Pindiga in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The prosecution told the court 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 alleged that the defendants robbed the deceased of an Itel keypad mobile phone without a SIM card and N7,400 in cash.

It further told the court that following the attack, the defendants shared the stolen money among themselves before dumping the victim’s body in a farm.

The deceased reportedly sustained serious injuries during the attack and later died from the injuries. The defendants were charged under Sections 97, 297 and 221 of the Penal Code Law.

When the charges were read and explained to them at the commencement of the trial, both defendants pleaded not guilty.

During the trial, the prosecution called two witnesses, who testified before the court and were cross-examined by the defence counsel, Barrister A.B. Danmamman.

The defence also called one witness, who was cross-examined by the prosecution counsel.

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 established its case beyond reasonable doubt, particularly through the testimony of the first prosecution witness.

The judge further held that the defendants failed to provide a credible defence capable of displacing the prosecution’s case.

Justice Haruna consequently convicted Buhari Sule and Muktari Ali Hilami of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide, sentenced each of them to death by hanging.