How a Final-Year Student Was Sentenced to Death for Murdering His Teacher

A High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State, has sentenced a final-year student of Government Science Technical College, Bukuru, to death by hanging for the murder of his teacher. The convict, identified as Odey Emmanuel, was found guilty of culpable homicide, an offence punishable by death under Sections 188 and 189 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law of 2017.

The tragic incident occurred on July 30, 2022, within the premises of the school located in Jos South Local Government Area. According to the prosecution, led by the Plateau State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Audu Daffi (represented by Chief State Counsels Nanfe Mbap and Solomon Gyang Deme), the altercation began during routine supervision in the school kitchen. The deceased, Mr. Job Dashe, was said to have confronted Emmanuel for allegedly breaching school rules by collecting double portions of food.

Eyewitnesses, including teachers and fellow students, testified that Emmanuel became aggressive after being disciplined. He reportedly issued threats such as, “I shall do it, nobody will stop me,” and “I must hurt this teacher,”—statements that were allegedly cheered on by some students present at the scene.

Emmanuel later returned with a knife and fatally stabbed Mr. Dashe in the chest. Despite efforts by staff to rush the teacher to Mercy Seat Hospital, he was declared dead on arrival. The police arrested Emmanuel shortly after, and he was charged with murder in Charge No. PLD/J178C/2021.

During the trial, the prosecution presented damning evidence, including medical reports, eyewitness accounts, and police findings, all of which supported the claim of premeditated murder. The defence failed to counter the prosecution’s case convincingly.

In delivering judgment, Justice S. J. Bakfur described the murder as a cold-blooded, premeditated act carried out in a public setting, warning that such violent behaviour within academic institutions poses a dangerous precedent. He emphasised that the court must uphold justice to deter similar acts and protect the sanctity of educational environments.

The court, having found Odey Emmanuel guilty beyond reasonable doubt, sentenced him to death by hanging, closing a painful chapter in what began as a disciplinary correction and ended in a fatal act of violence.