A Kogi State High Court in Ankpa has sentenced five individuals to death by hanging for their involvement in the brutal murders of Chief Sylvester Sule, his brother Owoicho Sule, and another victim. The ruling, delivered by Justice Seidu Hussaini on Monday, found the defendants guilty of criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire, and culpable homicide, violating sections 97(1), 337, and 221 of the Kogi State Penal Code.
The violent episode traces back to a protracted dispute between two ruling families in the Akwu community over the right to appoint the village head. This tension culminated in a violent attack on January 29, 2020, which left three people dead, burned 22 homes, and destroyed five vehicles.
Justice Hussaini noted that the conflict escalated after Chief Sule was appointed as a contender for the village head by the then Ata Igala on December 29, 2019. Just a month later, the community was engulfed in violence, resulting in significant loss of life and property.
The trial began in 2020 and was presided over by three judges before reaching Justice Hussaini. He stated that the five accused—Aliyu Amadu Makolo, Yakubu Idaji, Danjuma Yusuf, Mohammed Yusuf, and Muhammed Rilwanu—were directly responsible for the attack. The prosecution, represented by M. A. Abaji, claimed the defendants invaded the community armed with weapons, leading to the tragic events.
Evidence presented included the dismemberment of Owoicho Sule’s body, which was reportedly stuffed in a sack and disposed of in a well, adding a chilling dimension to the case. In response to the defendants’ pleas of not guilty, Justice Hussaini asserted that the prosecution had met the burden of proof, while the defense failed to provide substantial evidence.
Additionally, the court acquitted two other defendants, Yakubu Ikoja and Abdulmumuni Sale, due to insufficient evidence against them. The prosecution has indicated ongoing efforts to apprehend other suspects still at large, including David Adoyi Abah and several others.
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