JOS, NIGERIA — A High Court sitting 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.
Delivering the judgment on Monday, June 30, 2025, Justice Silas Bakfur found Ude guilty of culpable homicide punishable by death under Sections 221 and 222 of the Plateau State Penal Code.
The incident occurred in July 2021 after Mr. Dashe, serving as the school's Duty Master, confronted Ude for allegedly breaching dining hall rules. The teacher had suspected the student of obtaining extra food illegally and requested to inspect his food flask.
According to court testimony, Ude refused and left the scene, only to return minutes later with a knife. He then stabbed Mr. Dashe in the chest before fleeing the school premises. The teacher was rushed to a nearby hospital along Vom Road but was later confirmed dead.
Following a police investigation, Ude was arrested and confessed to the crime at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID). His confession was admitted into evidence and played a central role in the nearly four-year trial.
State prosecutors, Nansil Mbah and Solomon Deme, argued that the act was premeditated and intentional, urging the court to uphold the full weight of the law.
The defense, led by Josil Drinkat, pleaded for mercy, highlighting the convict’s remorse during trial proceedings.
However, Justice Bakfur maintained that the law provided no room for leniency in such a grave offense.
“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,” the judge said.
Ude was consequently convicted and sentenced to death by hanging until certified dead.
