Court sentences ex-soldier to death by hanging for murder of Yobe Islamic cleric

The Yobe State High Court sitting in Potiskum has sentenced a dismissed soldier, Lance Corporal John Gabriel, to death by hanging for killing an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Goni Aisami. 

The court also sentenced Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon, an accomplice in the murder, to 10 years  imprisonment. 

Aisami, a popular Islamic scholar based in Gashua, was murdered in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State by Gideon whom he gave a free ride on his way to Gashua from Kano on August 22, 2022. 

The Nigerian Army dismissed the two soldiers after a joint board of inquiry set up in collaboration with the police, found them guilty of murder. 

Justice Usman Zanna Mohammed who gave the verdict convicted Gabriel with service number, N/A13/69/6522, attached to 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru, and Gideon after he had found them guilty of murder and conspiracy, respectively. 

Delivering the judgement, Justice Mohammed held that after careful consideration of the facts before the court and the failure of the defendants to provide essential witnesses to corroborate their claims, they were sentenced in line with the provisions of the law.

When asked if he had any objection, Gabriel confessed that he murdered the renowned Islamic cleric. 

The Yobe State Government, through its Ministry of Justice, prosecuted the duo.