ABDULLAHI UMAR V. THE STATE

MUNTAKA-COOMASSIE JSC (Delivering the Lead Judgment):

This is an appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal Sokoto Division hereinafter called the lower court. The latter court unanimously dismissed the appeal by the appellant herein and affirmed the judgment of the trial court which convicted the appellant and sentenced him to death. There are therefore two concurrent decisions of the two lower courts. Charge

“That youAbdullahiUmar on or about 23:55hrs at EmirYahaya

Road Sokoto Judicial Division did commit the offence of culpable homicide punishable with death in that you caused the death of one Jamilu Muhammed by stabbing him with a scissors on the chest with the knowledge that his death would be the probable and not only likely consequence of your act and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 221(b) of the Penal Code”.

The accused person now appellant, pleaded not guilty to the charge. It was stated in the record of proceedings that the accused person/appellant …