Two Men in Gombe Sentenced to Death for Armed Robbery and Murder

The Gombe State High Court, sitting in Court No. 5, on Wednesday sentenced two men, Buhari Sule and Muktari Ali Hilami, to death by hanging. They were found guilty of armed robbery and the murder of a 35-year-old man, Murtala Rabi’u.

Justice Muhammad-Auwal Haruna presided over the case. The court found the men guilty of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide.

The charges were linked to an attack on Rabi’u that happened on September 18, 2025, at Garin Galadima village, near Pindiga, in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The prosecution explained that the two men conspired and armed themselves with sticks and hoes. They attacked Rabi’u and stole his mobile phone and N7,400 cash.

The court heard that the attackers caused severe injuries to Rabi’u, which led to his death. They later dumped his body in a maize farm.

Abdulkadir Ibrahim, the state counsel, said the actions of the defendants violated Sections 97, 297, and 221 of the Penal Code Law.

Ibrahim stated, "The defendants agreed among themselves at Garin Galadima village, armed themselves with dangerous weapons and attacked the deceased, Murtala Rabi’u."

He also mentioned that the defendants robbed Rabi’u of his Itel keypad phone without a SIM card and took "the sum of N7,400 cash, which they shared among themselves after dumping his corpse in a maize farm."

The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. During the trial, the prosecution presented two witnesses who testified and were cross-examined by the defence lawyer, Dan Mamman.

The defence called one witness, who was also cross-examined by the prosecution.

In his judgment, Justice Haruna said the court considered the evidence from both sides carefully. He stated, "The court has gone through all the charges brought by the prosecution, the evidence of the witnesses and the testimony presented by the defence."

Justice Haruna emphasized that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. He pointed out the testimony of the first prosecution witness as particularly strong.

The judge said, "The prosecution has established its case and proved the allegations against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt." He added that the defendants "failed to establish their defence against the charges brought against them."

As a result, the court found Buhari Sule and Muktari Ali Hilami guilty. Justice Haruna sentenced each of the two men to death by hanging, ordering that they be "hanged by the neck until they are dead."