The Bauchi State High Court No. 9 has sentenced Usman Abdullahi to death by hanging for the murder of Zaidu Adamu Kofar Dumi, following a dispute over a phone charger.
Delivering the verdict, Judge Sa'ad Muhammad Sambuwal found the accused guilty of grievous harm and culpable homicide, violations of Articles 239 and 221 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution, led by lawyer Abubakar Ahmed Kobi, informed the court that Adamu Mohammed Kofar Dumi reported the incident to the A Division of the Police. According to the report, on May 12, 2021, the accused had a disagreement with Zaidu Adamu, the complainant's son, and his friend, Ziya'u Abdulhadi, over a phone charger. During the altercation, Usman Abdullahi used a knife to stab Zaidu several times, causing serious injuries.
Zaidu was rushed to Bauchi Specialist Hospital where a doctor declared him dead.
The trial began on December 30, 2021, when the prosecution filed charges against the defendant for causing serious harm and manslaughter. It was alleged that Abdullahi used a knife to stab the victim in the stomach, neck and other parts of the body, resulting in his death.
Defense counsel Advocate Naziru Umar called two witnesses and sought leniency on behalf of the accused.
After hearing arguments from both sides and reviewing their final submissions, Judge Sambuwal handed down the ruling. He stated: “I hereby convict Usman Abdullahi of culpable homicide punishable by death. You will be hanged by the neck until you die.”
The court also sentenced Abdullahi to five years in prison for grievous harm, as stipulated in Article 239 of the Penal Code.