Justice Usman Zanna of the Yobe State High Court sitting in Potiskum has sentenced Lance Corporal John Gabriel to death by hanging for killing Sheikh Goni Aisami after being found guilty on four counts of charges.
Recall that Corporal John Gabriel murdered Iate Imam Goni Aisami on August 19th, 2022 in Jaji-Maji town along Gashuwa Road, with an AK-47 rifle and later invited his friend Adamu Gabriel to assist him in towing the Honda Accord 2006 Model, belonging to the late Goni Aisami, which he alleged was faulty.
The judge said the defendant, Lance Corporal John Gabriel on the 18th of August, 2022 was entrusted by the late Sheikh Goni Aisami (the deceased) to give him a ride, on the fateful day but betrayed him.
The presiding Judge said the court has taken account and studied all the 12 pieces of evidence brought before it.
“The court studied how the first convict was entrusted but he betrayed such trust and used his weapon against an innocent soul, to take away his most precious gift, in the process of trying to snatch away his car,” he said.
According to Justice Zanna, Corporal John was convicted based on section 12 Subsection (B) of the Robbery and Fire Arm Special Provision Act, Laws Of Federation Of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, And Section 221 of the Penal Code Law of Yobe State 1994 as amended, which enforces mandatory sentences and the code has no discretion whatsoever to exercise any circumstances
The second convict, Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon who resisted arrest and threatened to kill a police officer during his arrest was sentenced to ten (10) years imprisonment without any fine, under section 229 of the penal code law of Yobe State.
The court ordered that his sentence, begin from the day of his arrest.
The court said it took into cognizance the plea of Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon and having considered many other factors had the discretionary powers to sentence him to life imprisonment or fine or free him for life.
Justice Zanna gave an order under section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, that the AK-47 rifle and Six Rounds of live Ammunition used in committing the crime, be returned to the armory of the Nigerian Army and the Honda Accord 2006 Model which belongs to the deceased be handed over to his family and also the Sharon Vehicle belonging to the second convict be handed to his family.
The Presiding Judge who commended all the lawyers for their efforts and contributions said the convicts can appeal to the judgment if not satisfied with the judgment of the court.
He then paid tribute to the first Counsel to the defendant A.U Ajauru, who died of recently.
The case which was between the Yobe State government and two others, Lance Corporal John Gabriel and Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon has accommodated several witnesses and evidence submitted before it, since the beginning of the trial.
Commenting on the judgment, a son of the Late Sheikh Goni Aisami appreciated the judgment delivered by the court and Yobe State Government and called on the government to immediately act on the judgment of the court.
