By Shuaibu Usman Muhammad
A Nasarawa State High Court sitting in Lafia has sentenced to death by hanging, one Saidu Idi, over the murder of Hardo Adamu Buli from Kokona LGA of the state.
The murder case, which suffered prolonged litigation for over a decade, came to a conclusion on Monday following the delivery of the judgment.
Delivering the verdict, Nasarawa State Chief Judge, Justice Aisha Muhammad Usman, found the defendant guilty of robbery and culpable homicide.
Justice Usman equally discharged Idi of criminal conspiracy charge included in the three-count charge against him.
Reacting to the ruling, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Isaac Danladi, who led government’s legal team, described the judgment as a landmark decision.
According to him, both parties to the case were given time to present their arguments to the court before the verdict, lauding the judiciary for ensuring that justice was served accordingly.
Danladi said the deceased, who was killed by the defendant, a herder from Kokona LGA, adding that the evidence presented before the court showed that the killing preceded the robbery.
The Attorney-General noted that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to criminals.
Counsel to the defendant, Chidi Okorie Kanu said the defendant would appeal the judgment to a higher court, citing alleged inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.