Two Sentenced to Death by Hanging for Murder in Plateau
A Plateau State High Court has sentenced two individuals, Thomas Danboyi and Pam Lang, to death by hanging for their involvement in the murder of Chung Bot.
The judgment was delivered by the Chief Judge of Plateau State, Justice David Mann, on Wednesday in Jos.
In the case of State vs. Thomas Danboyi & Pam Lang (Charge No. PLD/J112C/2010), the court found both defendants guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, offenses under the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria, 1963, which was applicable in Plateau State at the time.
The prosecution, led by Plateau State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. P.A. Daffi, and his legal team, presented evidence that the crime occurred on April 26, 2010, in the village of Tahai Gyel, Bukuru, located in the Jos South Local Government Area.
According to the prosecution, the victim, Chung Bot, along with his family, had traveled to their farmland in Ta Hei, Gyel, to work when they were attacked by the accused, along with others who are still at large.
The court heard that Thomas Danboyi, the first defendant, restrained the victim by holding his hands behind his back, while the second defendant, Pam Lang, repeatedly struck Bot on the head with a stick.
The victim was subsequently taken to Plateau Hospital in Jos for treatment but tragically died from his injuries.
Justice Mann remarked that the evidence presented in court was conclusive, affirming that the prosecution successfully proved, beyond reasonable doubt, that the defendants had conspired to commit the crime and intentionally caused the victim’s death.
After the verdict, the defense counsel for both convicts appealed for clemency, citing that the men were responsible family members and had shown good behavior throughout their trial.
Justice Mann, however, exercised discretion only in relation to the charge of criminal conspiracy, handing down a three-year prison sentence for that offense. But for the charge of culpable homicide, the judge imposed the mandatory death penalty, noting that he had no authority to reduce the sentence.
