A High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced a police sergeant, Vincent Manu, to death for unlawfully killing a businessman, Mr. Stephen Anakwe, and labeling him an armed robber.
Manu was arraigned along with five other policemen namely Inspector Danladi Lenkem; Inspector Edula Ateku (who died in the course of the trial); Corporals Samson Magga; Musa Audu, as well as Christopher Maikasuwa, on one count charge of criminal conspiracy to kill the businessman while they were on patrol duty.
The presiding judge, Justice James Abundega, who found Manu guilty of killing, said the prosecution proved with cogent circumstantial evidence that Manu intentionally killed Anakwe.
The judge rejected the defendant’s plea of self defence, noting that based on the evidence before him, such plea was not plausible, adding that the prosecution had established all the ingredients of culpable homicide as enshrined in Section 220 of the Penal Code.
He said the offence contravened sections 220 of the Penal Code and is punishable under Section 221.
He, however, absolved the other policemen of any wrong doing, as he discharged and acquitted them.
Justice Abundega, in his judgment, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
He said: “In the circumstances, the court finds the defendant guilty of the charge of causing the death of Mr. Stephen Anakwe on January 13, 2012. He is accordingly convicted.
“The court does not have discretion to impose any other punishment, much as it may, the law must be fulfilled at all times and in all situations. The defendant, having been convicted for the offence of culpable homicide under section 221 of the Penal Code as charged, is sentenced to death. The sentence of the court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead.”