A High Court in Maiduguri has sentenced an 18-year-old herdsman, Adamu Mohammed, to death for killing another herder, 19-year-old Adamu Ali, during a fight in Auno, Konduga local government area of Borno State.
Justice Mohammed Maina ruled that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mohammed struck Ali on the head with a cutlass during a clash in the bush on January 19, 2025.
Ali later died at the Borno State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri.
Court documents showed that although Mohammed initially pleaded guilty, the court recorded a not-guilty plea because the charge carries capital punishment.
The prosecution called two witnesses and presented exhibits, including the defendant’s statements and a medical report. In both statements, Mohammed admitted that he fought the deceased with a cutlass.
The defence argued that he acted in self-defence, but the court rejected the claim, pointing out inconsistencies in his testimony and the lack of evidence showing he could not retreat or avoid the fatal strike.
Justice Maina said the force used was excessive and unjustified and ruled that Mohammed’s actions satisfied the requirements for culpable homicide punishable with death under Section 191(a) of the Borno State Penal Code Law, 2023.
He was then sentenced to death by hanging.