Odey Emmanuel, a former student of Government Science Technical College in Bukuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of a teacher.
The verdict was delivered by a High Court sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Tuesday, which found Emmanuel guilty of culpable homicide punishable by death, in violation of Sections 188 and 189 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law, 2017, under Charge No. PLD/J178C/2021.
Declaring the judgment, the presiding judge, Justice S. J. Bakfur, held that the prosecution had proved the case against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.
The prosecution was led by the Plateau State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Audu Daffi, Esq., represented by Chief State Counsel Nanfe Mbap, Esq., and Solomon Gyang Deme, Esq.
The incident happened on July 30, 2022, on the premises of the Government Science Technical College, Bukuru, in the 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 was on duty, was supervising the serving of breakfast in the school kitchen around 9:30 a.m. and lunch around 2 p.m..
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 its evidence, including medical reports, eyewitness testimonies, and police findings.
During the trial, the defence 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.
