A 35-year-old man, Habila Luka, of Mamurla village in Mubi South local council of Adamawa State is standing trial at the state High Court for allegedly killing his neighbour, Jauro Manda Kapuwa.
He was alleged to have strangled his victim after stealing from him. The father of two was charged to court on a two-count charge bothering on culpable homicide contrary to Section 191 (a) and punishable under Section 192 (a) of the state penal code law.
When he was arraigned last Thursday, the accused pleaded not guilty to the offence after which the prosecution counsel, M. B. Rufai, pleaded with the judge, Helen N. Hammanjoda, to adjourn the case to enable him to assemble witnesses and exhibits to prove his case.
According to the particulars of offence, the defendant stormed the residence of the deceased in the night and strangled him with the intention of causing his death.
In his confessional statement, the defendant said the deceased accused him of stealing his money as a result of which he hired the services of a native doctor to identify the person that stole the money.
According to him, the native doctor used a broom, which caught him as the thief even when he was not physically present at the place.
He averred that as soon as the native doctor finished his consultations, the deceased threatened to kill him.
“He asked me to start putting my house in order because I am going to die. I knew very well that he meant it and will surely kill me,” he stated.
Habila recalled that on that fateful day, he and his two friends went to the deceased’s house while asleep and strangled him to death and was later arrested.
