Man Sentenced To Death By Hanging For Setting His Mum Ablaze

Stephen Jiya, a middle-aged man, was sentenced to death by hanging by a Minna High Court 1 presided over by Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, for the murder of his biological mother, Mrs Comfort Jiya.

Remember that Stephen set fire to the deceased, a former Principal of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Sabon Wuse, and Maryam Babangida Girls’ Science College, Minna.

Comfort was in her kitchen at her home in Minna’s Darussalam Area on Monday, December 20, 2021, when her son, who is alleged to be a drug addict, arrived from Suleja and poured fuel on her before lighting her on.

Neighbours transported her to the General Hospital Minna, and she was later transferred to another medical institution, where she died from her injuries.

Stephen was apprehended by the Police Command’s state Criminal Intelligence Department (SCID) and confessed to the crime, alleging that his mother frequently interfered with his marital affairs.

Jiya was previously arraigned before a magistrate court by SCID operatives on provisional charges while awaiting legal advice from the DPP’s office for proper prosecution in a competent court.

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On September 14, 2022, the DPP formally prosecuted him before Justice Halima Abdulmalik of High Court 1 under Section 221 of the Penal Code Law, which provides for the death penalty if convicted.

The hearing began on November 22, 2022, and Justice Abdulmalik presided.

Serah Gana, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), had petitioned the Court to charge him under Section 221 of the penal code, which carries the death penalty.

The CJ stated in her verdict on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, that the convict was found guilty of culpable homicide punishable by the death penalty under section 221 of the penal code law.

In her response, Justice Halima Abdulmalik stated that the circumstances surrounding the deceased’s death plainly demonstrated that the man was unquestionably accountable for the offence charged against him, as established by the Prosecutor.

She also stated that all of the evidence and prosecuting witnesses who testified in court proved that the convict was guilty for the death 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 culprit begged the court to balance justice with mercy, adding,

“I am a family man. I have a wife and children. Give me a second chance and I will be a product of a good society. My Lord have mercy on me. Temper justice with Mercy and I promise to change for good” he pleaded.

In her lengthy decision, Justice Halima Abdulmalik stated that her hands are tied because the sentence for culpable homicide is death under the law.

“In the circumstances, the sentence of the Court upon you is that you should be hanged by the neck, electrocuted, executed or injected with lethal injection until you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on your soul,” the Chief Judge submitted.

During the trial, six witnesses, including two members of his family and his younger sister, testified against him.