Yobe court sentences dismissed soldier to death by hanging, another bags 10 years in Correctional Centre for murder 

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The condemned ex-soldier, John Gabriel and the late Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Goni Aisami

By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi 

Two Army personnel who were involved in the case of murder in Yobe State have been found guilty and convicted as charged by a State High Court sitting in Potiskum. 

The Court on Tuesday, in its judgment, sentenced the dismissed Soldier, Lance Corporal John Gabriel to death by hanging while his accomplice, Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon is to serve 10 years imprisonment at the Nigerian Correctional Center.

The judgement was passed by Justice Usman Zanna Mohammed sentencing Lance Corporal John Gabriel with Nigerian Army number, N/A13/69/6522 attached to 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru to death by hanging while Adamu Gideon is to be behind bars for 10 years. 

The duo were found guilty of the offences of murder and conspiracy respectively.

Justice Mohammed held that after a careful consideration of all the facts presented before the Court by the Prosecution, and the failure of the accused persons to provide essential witnesses to corroborate their claims, he was left with no opinion other than to sentence the two convicts in line with the provisions of the law.

John Gabriel who was the 1st Accused Person, was charged for the offence of Armed Robbery contrary to section 1 (2) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (special provision Act) Cap R11 LFN 2004, and Section 221 of the Penal Code law of Yobe State.  

The second accused, LCpl Adamu Gideon was charged for attempt to commit Culpable homicide and assisting in concealment of stolen property. 

The prosecution called 12 witnesses and tendered 9 exhibits while the accused persons testified in their defense and called no further evidence.

It could be recalled that a prominent Islamic scholar based in Gashua, Sheikh Goni Aisami was brutally murdered in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State by a Soldier who he gave a lift while on his way to Gashua from Kano on 22nd of August, 2022.

The criminal action of the Ex-soldiers, angered people of Yobe State leading the  Government to, through the Ministry of Justice take the matter to the High Court for diligent prosecution which, One year later, culminated in the judgement delivered on Tuesday in Potiskum.

The case was listed as, State Vs 1.Lance CPL John Gabriel and 2. Lance CPL Adamu Gideon.