Two Gombe Men Sentenced to Death for Armed Robbery

The Gombe State High Court, sitting in Court No. 5, has 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. He found the men guilty of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide.

The attack happened on September 18, 2025, in Garin Galadima village, near Pindiga, in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The prosecution said the men planned the attack and armed themselves with sticks and hoes. They robbed Rabi’u of his mobile phone and N7,400.

The court heard that the defendants caused serious injuries to Rabi’u, leading to his death. They then dumped his body in a maize farm.

State counsel Abdulkadir Ibrahim explained that the actions of the defendants broke Sections 97, 297, and 221 of the Penal Code Law. He said, “The defendants agreed among themselves at Garin Galadima village, armed themselves with dangerous weapons and attacked the deceased, Murtala Rabi’u.”

He added that they stole Rabi’u's Itel keypad phone without a SIM card and “the sum of N7,400 cash, which they shared among themselves after dumping his corpse in a maize farm.”

During the trial, the prosecution called two witnesses. They testified and were cross-examined by the defence counsel, Dan Mamman. The defence called one witness who also faced cross-examination by the prosecution.

In his judgment, Justice Haruna said the court carefully reviewed all the evidence from both sides. 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 said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, especially relying on the testimony of the first witness. He remarked, “The prosecution has established its case and proved the allegations against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.”

The judge also noted that the defendants “failed to establish their defence against the charges brought against them.”

The court found Buhari Sule and Muktari Ali Hilami guilty of the charges. Justice Haruna sentenced each of them to death by hanging, ordering that they be “hanged by the neck until they are dead.”