A High Court in Plateau State has sentenced Emmanuel Ude, a former student of Government Technical College, Bukuru, to death by hanging for the 2021 killing of his teacher, Mr. Job Dashe.

Justice Silas Bakfur delivered the judgment on Monday after finding Ude guilty of culpable homicide under Sections 221 and 222 of the Plateau State Penal Code, which prescribe the death penalty for the offence.

The incident occurred in July 2021 when Ude, then a student at the technical college in Jos South Local Government Area, was confronted by Mr. Dashe, who was serving as Duty Master.

According to court proceedings, Ude had breached dining hall rules and was asked to open his food flask for inspection on suspicion that he had obtained a portion of food illegally. He refused.

Minutes after the confrontation, Ude left for the dormitory, returned with a knife, and stabbed the teacher in the chest. He fled the scene immediately. Mr. Dashe was rushed to a hospital along Vom Road but was later confirmed dead.

Following a police investigation, Ude was arrested and made a confessional statement at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which was admitted as key evidence in the trial.

The prosecution, led by state counsel Nansil Mbah and Solomon Deme from the Plateau State Ministry of Justice, argued that the act was premeditated and deliberate. The trial lasted nearly four years.

Defence counsel Josil Drinkat pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that the convict had shown remorse during the trial.

However, Justice Bakfur stated that while the court acknowledged the convict’s remorse, the law left no room for leniency in such circumstances.

He said, “The prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The hands of the court are tied; I can only do what the law prescribes in such a situation.”

Emmanuel Ude was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging until certified dead.