By Michael Abu/Damaturu
A Yobe State High Court sitting in Potiskum Local Government Area, has ordered the execution of a dismissed soldier, Lance Corporal John Gabriel, to death by hanging for killing an Islamic cleric, late Sheikh Goni Aisami.
The tragic incident happened in the year 2022; when the late popular Islamic preacher was returning from Kano en route Hadeja-Nguru road and stopped over at the Nguru Military barracks to give a lift to Lance corporal John Gabriel, who return murdered the cleric in cold blood with AK47-gun which was hid inside a camp bed.
According to police investigation, the culprit’s intention was to hijack the car of the late Sheik and probably sell it to realize money.
The court sentnced Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon, an accomplice to the crime to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Adamu, a military technician who is well knowledgeable in automobiles was called over the phone by the culprit (Gabriel) on the day of the tragic incident after realising that he could not make away with the late Islamic’s car due to security lock installed in it.
His friend, Adamu who arrived at the scene of the crime came with the intention to assist his soldier colleague (Gabriel) who claimed that the car belonged to one of his friends and suddenly developed technical faults; pleading with the innocent Adamu to come to his aid by fixing the car.
This was how Adamu became an accomplice to the crime.
Precisely, late Goni Aisami, a popular Islamic scholar based in Gashua community, was killed along Jaji-Maji village in Karasuwa Local Government Area on August 22, 2022.
Meanwhile, 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.
The case underscores the severity with which the court addressed the allegations of Armed Robbery and related offences.
The judgment is a reflection of the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those found guilty of such crimes face appropriate consequences.
Nigerians patiently await to see if the judgement of the court would set a precedent for future cases involving military personnel amongst other security agencies by maintaining a fabulous judicial decision that would continue to give hope to the common man.
