Five Men Sentenced to Death for Culpable Homicide in Benue State

The Benue State High Court in Makurdi has sentenced five men to death by hanging for culpable homicide.

The convicted men, Terna Zwave, Jonathan Gbajime, John Bur, Gabriel Ianna, and Kwaghgba Zaki, all residents of Anchoha Village in Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue, were charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, mischief, and culpable homicide.

The prosecution’s case alleged that the men conspired to trespass on land belonging to an individual named Oliver Jato on October 5, 2021, with the intention of making charcoal.

During this trespass, a violent altercation ensued when confronted by others, leading to the death of an individual named Biija.

The case was initially filed in a Magistrate’s Court in 2021 but was subsequently transferred to the High Court based on legal advice from the state’s Ministry of Justice.

During the trial, the first defendant, Mr. Zwave, pleaded guilty, while the others pleaded not guilty. The defendants testified for themselves, while the prosecution presented seven witnesses to prove its case.

In delivering the judgement, the trial judge, T.A Kume, ruled that the prosecution had established its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

He noted that denying the commission of an offence did not constitute a defence, and the burden of proof rested on the defence counsel, which was not met.

The judge acknowledged the plea for mercy but stated that the law did not provide for it in this case.

As a result, all five defendants were sentenced to death by hanging on the four counts of criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, mischief, and culpable homicide.

Source: Premium Times