Nasarawa Man Sentenced to Death for Murder of Herder

A High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has sentenced Saidu Idi to death by hanging for his involvement in armed robbery and culpable homicide.

The ruling was issued by the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Justice Aisha Muhammed Usman, on Monday, February 2, 2026.

Idi faced charges related to a trio of offenses including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide stemming from an incident in 2015.

While the court acquitted him of the conspiracy charge, he was found guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide.

Mr. Isaac Danladi, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Nasarawa State, who prosecuted the case, characterized the verdict as a significant legal precedent.

“This case has been ongoing for approximately 11 years, allowing both the prosecution and defense ample opportunity to present their arguments,” Danladi stated.

“Ultimately, the court ruled that while the defendant was discharged from conspiracy charges, he was convicted of both armed robbery and culpable homicide, showcasing impartiality in judgment.”

He further explained that the victim, a herder, was assaulted in the Kopuna region of the local government area, emphasizing that the fatality occurred before the theft took place.

“The herdsman was shot first before his possessions and cash were taken from him,” Danladi added, asserting that this ruling serves as a warning to potential criminals.

Defense attorney Chidi Okorie Kanu, however, criticized the ruling and indicated intentions to appeal the decision in a higher court.

“The legal battle is far from over,” Kanu remarked.

Kanu expressed gratitude towards the Chief Judge for concluding a protracted case but conveyed dissatisfaction with the outcome.

“Our team will thoroughly review the judgment and initiate an appeal, highlighting perceived discrepancies in the prosecution's narrative,” he stated.

He questioned the reliability of a key witness, stating, “One prosecution witness, PW1, failed to recall giving a statement to the State CID. If she cannot accurately remember making such a statement, what assurance do we have that she accurately recalled seeing the defendant on the day of the event?”

Kanu confirmed that the case would be advanced to the Court of Appeal to evaluate the soundness of the court's decision.