In a crucial ruling, the Yobe State High Court in Potiskum has handed down the sentence of death by hanging to Lance Corporal John Gabriel, a dismissed soldier, for the murder of an Islamic cleric. Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon, also implicated in the case, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment at the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Justice Usman Zanna Mohammed, presiding over the case, found Gabriel guilty of murder and Gideon guilty of conspiracy. The judge based his decision on a thorough evaluation of the evidence presented and the defendants’ inability to provide crucial witnesses to support their claims.
The tragic incident occurred on August 22, 2022, when Sheikh Goni Aisami, a highly respected Islamic scholar based in Gashua, was brutally killed in the Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State. The cleric had kindly offered a ride to a soldier while traveling from Kano to Gashua, which tragically ended in his murder.
In response to the heinous act committed by the ex-soldiers, the Yobe State Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, diligently pursued the case, ultimately leading to this significant judgment.
The court’s ruling reflects a paramount step towards ensuring justice for the victims of such grievous crimes and sends a resolute message that everyone is accountable under the law.
