According to Newsmen, A Makurdi High Court, presided over by Justice T.A Kume, has sentenced five men to death by hanging for culpable homicide.
The convicted individuals, Terna Zwave, Jonathan Gbajime, John Bur, Gabriel Ianna, and Kwaghgba Zaki, had been charged before a Makurdi Magistrates' Court in 2021.
Their charges included criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, mischief, and culpable homicide under sections 97, 349, 329, and 222 of the Penal Code, Laws of Benue, 2004.
The prosecution's case stated that on October 5, 2021, the men conspired to trespass on land belonging to one Oliver Jato and cut down trees to make charcoal.
A confrontation ensued when they were discovered by Abraham Hwange, Peter Agber, and the deceased, resulting in a violent scuffle that led to the death of Biija.
The case was eventually transferred to the High Court, where the first defendant, Zwave, pleaded guilty, while the others pleaded not guilty.
After testimonies from both the defendants and prosecution witnesses, the trial concluded.
Justice Kume ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt and stated that denying the commission of an offense did not absolve one of committing it.
Despite pleas for mercy, the judge sentenced the five men to death by hanging, in accordance with the law.
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