A Plateau State High Court has sentenced Emmanuel Ude, a former student of Government Technical College, Bukuru, to death by hanging for the 2021 killing of his teacher, Mr. Job Dashe.
Justice Silas Bakfur delivered the judgment on Monday, June 30, 2025, after finding Ude guilty of culpable homicide under Sections 221 and 222 of the Plateau State Penal Code, which prescribe the death penalty.
The incident occurred in July 2021 at the college in Jos South Local Government Area. Court records show that Mr. Dashe, serving as Duty Master, confronted Ude over a suspected breach of dining hall rules. He asked the student to open his food flask for inspection, suspecting he had obtained food improperly. Ude refused the order.
Shortly after the confrontation, Ude went to the dormitory, returned with a knife, and stabbed Mr. Dashe in the chest. The teacher was taken to a hospital along Vom Road, where he was later pronounced dead. Ude fled the scene but was subsequently arrested by the police.
During the investigation, Ude made a confessional statement at the State Criminal Investigation Department, which was admitted as key evidence during the trial.
State prosecutors Nansil Mbah and Solomon Deme argued that the act was deliberate and premeditated. The defence counsel, Josil Drinkat, appealed for leniency, citing Ude’s remorse.
However, Justice Bakfur said the law does not permit discretion in cases involving capital offences. “The prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The hands of the court are tied,” the judge ruled.
Ude was sentenced to death by hanging until confirmed dead.
