A Minna High Court 1 directed by Chief Judge of Niger State, Equity Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, has condemned a moderately aged man, Stephen Jiya, to death by hanging for the homicide of his natural mother, Mrs. Comfort Jiya.

,Recall that the deseased , former Principal of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Sabon Wuse and Maryam Babangida Girls’ Science College, Minna, died after she was set ablaze by Stephen. 

Comfort was in her kitchen at her home in Darusalam Area of Minna, when her child, said to be a medication fiend, got back from Suleja on Monday December 20, 2021, and poured petroleum on her prior to illuminating her.

She was raced to the Overall Emergency clinic Minna by neighbors and later moved to one more clinical office where she surrendered to her wounds.

The hearing commenced on November 22, 2022, and Justice Abdulmalik. 

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Serah Gana had prayed to the Court to prosecute him in accordance with the provision of Section 221 of the penal code which attracts the death penalty.

Delivering her ruling on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, the CJ said the convict was found guilty of culpable homicide punishable under section 221 of the penal code law which attracts the death penalty.

Justice Halima Abdulmalik in her submission said that the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased clearly showed that the convict was undoubtedly responsible for the crime levelled against him as established by the Prosecutor.

She also said that all the evidence and prosecuting witnesses who testified before the court were able to prove that the convict was responsible for the killing of his biological mother, Mrs. Comfort Jiya.

With all the evidence tendered before the court, I don’t have any iota of doubt in my mind that the convict was guilty of culpable homicide punishable under sections 221 of the penal code as charged,” she said. 

“The prosecutor has proved the case against the defendant beyond every reasonable doubt and I am convinced with all the testimonies of the prosecuting witnesses.

“On the whole, the prosecutor has proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt against the defendant and I hereby found you Stephen Jiya guilty of the offence of culpable homicide with death under section 221 of the penal code accordingly.

In an emotionally laden voice, Justice Halima Abdulmalik asked the convict, “What do you have to say before I pass my sentence on you”?.

The convict pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy saying,