From Ahmad Muhammad, in Bauchi
The Bauchi State High Court number four Presided over by Justice Aliyu Baba Usman has sentenced a man called Mamuda Zakariyau to die by hanging for killing a motorcycle rider while attempting to steal his bike.
Delivering his Judgement today, Wednesday, in Bauchi, Justice Aliyu said “For the offence of culpable homicide punishable with death, the defendant Mamuda Zakariyau is hereby sentenced to death by hanging”.
Mamuda was arraigned by the counsels to the Bauchi State Ministry of Justice Yusuf Adamu on two counts charge before the court.
” Count one said on 16 /10/2026, Mamuda conspired with Sadiq alias Gwaska now at large, when they boarded a motor cycle driven by one Basiru Mohammed. They directed him to old airport, they stabbed him with a knife and robbed him of his motorcycle contrary to section 1(2) of the robbery and firearms Special Provision act LFN 2004″.
Count two said “Mamuda conspired with Sadiq alias Gwaska now at large, did commit an offence of culpable homicide when they stabbed Basiru with a knife and robbed him his motorcycle, consequent which he collapsed and died there by committed an offence of culpable homicide contrary to section 217 of the Penal code law of Bauchi State” .
The Prosecution called four witnesses and tendered five exhibits that included a handset, motorcycle, knife stained with blood and shoes.
Counsel to the defendant, Barrister Kayode Omosehin asked the court to acquit the defendant because the confessional statements was involuntary, “contrary to the administration of criminal Justice laws of Bauchi State, and there was no eye witnesses and the evidences were just circumstantial”
In his judgement, Justice Aliyu Baba Usman said the prosecution had proved both counts beyond reasonable doubt. “The defendant Mamuda Zakariyau is hereby by convicted for the offence of armed robbery, contrary to section 1(2) of the robbery and firearms act Cap R 11 LFN 2004 and for the offence of culpable homicide punishable with death contrary to section 217 of the PC laws of Bauchi State”.
It would be recalled that last October, 2025, the Bauchi State Police Command arrested a 30-year-old man, Mamuda Zakari Yau, for allegedly stabbing a motorcyclist to death and stealing his motorcycle in a desperate attempt to raise money for marriage.
Mamuda allegedly used a knife, fatally stabbed Mohammed and made away with his red Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, bearing registration number NNG 813 UM.
“Fortunately, the victim managed to call for help, before he fell down which drew the attention of nearby residents. Some individuals pursued the suspect, forcing him to abandon the motorcycle and flee the scene.” Police detectives from the ‘E’ Division in Yelwa were deployed to the scene and rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, where he was later confirmed dead by Medical Doctors.
Police explained that the suspect was later traced and arrested following intelligence gathered from his recovered mobile phone.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to committing the crime and claimed he acted out of financial frustration, saying he needed money to marry a third wife.
“He admitted to deceiving the motorcyclist before stabbing him and stealing his bike.”
Police recovered the red Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, a blood-stained knife, a pair of shoes, and one android phone belonging to the accused.
