In a tragic case, a middle-aged man, Stephen Jiya, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his biological mother, Mrs. Comfort Jiya, by a Minna High Court 1, under the jurisdiction of Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik.
The deceased, a former Principal of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Sabon Wuse, and Maryam Babangida Girls’ Science College, Minna, lost her life after being set ablaze by her son, Stephen.
The horrifying incident occurred in her kitchen at her residence in Darusalam Area of Minna, when Stephen, described as a drug addict, returned from Suleja on Monday, December 20, 2021, and poured petrol on her before lighting her up.
Neighbors rushed Comfort to General Hospital Minna, and later to another medical facility, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Stephen, apprehended by the state Criminal Intelligence Department (SCID), confessed to the crime, citing intrusion into his marital affairs as a motive.
Following initial provisional charges, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) formally charged Stephen on September 14, 2022, under Section 221 of the Penal Code Law, which carries a death penalty upon conviction.
The trial commenced on November 22, 2022, before Justice Halima Abdulmalik. In her ruling on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, the Chief Judge affirmed the guilty verdict, stating that the evidence and witnesses proved Stephen’s responsibility for the culpable homicide.
“With all the evidence tendered before the court, I don’t have any iota of doubt in my mind that the convict was guilty of culpable homicide punishable under sections 221 of the penal code as charged,” she said.
“The prosecutor has proved the case against the defendant beyond every reasonable doubt and I am convinced with all the testimonies of the prosecuting witnesses.
“On the whole, the prosecutor has proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt against the defendant and I hereby found you Stephen Jiya guilty of the offence of culpable homicide with death under section 221 of the penal code accordingly.
In an emotionally laden voice, Justice Halima Abdulmalik asked the convict,
“What do you have to say before I pass my sentence on you”?.
The convict pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy saying,
“I am a family man. I have a wife and children. Give me a second chance and I will be a product of a good society. My Lord have mercy on me. Temper justice with Mercy and I promise to change for good” he pleaded.
In her judgement which lasted for over one hour, Justice Halima Abdulmalik said her hands are tied because the punishment for culpable homicide as stipulated by law is death.
“In the circumstances, the sentence of the Court upon you is that you should be hanged by the neck, electrocuted, executed or injected with lethal injection until you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on your soul,” the Chief Judge submitted.
A total of six witnesses including two members of his family an his younger sister testified against him during the trial.
| LIB
