Ex-student sentenced to death by hanging for killing teacher in Plateau

Summary

• Emmanuel Ude convicted of culpable homicide for 2021 stabbing
• Teacher Job Dashe was killed after confronting student over food rules
• Judge says court’s “hands are tied” under Plateau State Penal Code

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

The presiding judge, Justice Silas Bakfur, on Monday found Emmanuel Ude guilty of culpable homicide, stating that the court had no option but to follow the provisions of Sections 221 and 222 of the Plateau State Penal Code, which mandate the death penalty for such offences.

The incident occurred in July 2021 at the technical college located in Jos South Local Government Area. According to court proceedings, Mr Dashe, who was on duty as Duty Master, confronted Ude for breaching dining hall rules and requested that he open his food flask due to suspicion of obtaining food illegally. Ude refused.

Shortly after the encounter, Ude left for the dormitory, returned with a knife, and stabbed the teacher in the chest. He immediately fled the scene. Mr Dashe was taken to a hospital along Vom Road, where he was later confirmed dead.

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

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

In his final submission, defence counsel Josil Drinkat pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that the convict had shown remorse during the proceedings.

However, while delivering judgement, Justice Bakfur ruled: “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.”

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