Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
Abuja, Nigeria — In a ruling that underscores the Nigerian judiciary’s tough stance on violent crime, a High Court in Yola, Adamawa State, has sentenced a 39-year-old man, Gambo Goni, to death, with the method of execution to be either hanging or lethal injection, for his conviction on armed robbery charges. The verdict, handed down on Friday by Justice Kyanson Samuel Lawanson of High Court No. III, follows a protracted legal process that began more than a decade ago.
The court found Goni guilty on two counts related to criminal conspiracy and armed robbery under the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R.11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, a statute that prescribes severe penalties for violent offences, particularly those committed with weapons. Counts three, four and five against him were dismissed by the judge after being deemed unproven beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the prosecution’s case, the offences occurred on October 4, 2014, when Goni and four accomplices, who remain at large, allegedly stormed the homes of several residents in Kofare, a community in Yola South Local Government Area, while brandishing dangerous weapons. The victims were identified as Alhaji Lawan Suleiman, Alhaji Musa B. Umaru, Munir M.G., and Alhaji Ahmed Saibaru Shuaibu. The gang is accused of stealing money, mobile phones and other valuables from these households.
Delivering judgment, Justice Lawanson said the prosecution had satisfactorily established its case against Goni beyond reasonable doubt, prompting the conviction and the subsequent imposition of the capital sentence. “I hereby sentence you to death by hanging or by lethal injection until you are confirmed dead; I pray God to have mercy upon you,” the judge declared, invoking a customary appeal for divine mercy even as the court enforced the highest penalty available under the law.
The decision places Goni among a relatively small number of convicted criminals in Nigeria currently facing execution, a sentence that has stirred legal, ethical and human rights debates across the country. Nigeria formally retains the death penalty in its criminal code, particularly for aggravated armed robbery, murder, terrorism and certain other violent offences. However, executions have been rare in recent decades, and death sentences often trigger lengthy appeals, commutation petitions and advocacy from rights groups concerned about due process, prison conditions and the finality of capital punishment.
Legal experts say that the dual option of execution — either by hanging or lethal injection — reflects Nigeria’s evolving approach to enforcing capital sentences. Historically, hanging has been the predominant method prescribed for executions, but recent jurisprudence and policy discussions have opened the door to less archaic methods such as lethal injection, which some judicial authorities view as more dignified or aligned with contemporary human rights norms.
The use of lethal injection remains highly controversial in Nigeria, with debates centring on its constitutionality, the availability of trained personnel and facilities, and broader discussions about the role of capital punishment in a society grappling with crime, poverty and systemic judicial challenges. Observers note that while the death penalty is enshrined in law, its implementation often collides with advocacy efforts by human rights organisations, some of which argue for moratoriums or abolition on humanitarian grounds.
Supporters of maintaining and enforcing capital sentences for violent crime argue that harsh punishments serve as deterrents, particularly in regions suffering chronic insecurity. Northern Nigeria, including Adamawa State, has been significantly affected by armed banditry, kidnappings and violent theft, compounding fears among residents and policymakers alike. Tough judicial outcomes, they contend, help uphold the rule of law and reassure communities beleaguered by repeated attacks on life and property. While not specific to this case, national discourse on sentencing has seen figures from government and civil society debate the utility and impact of severe penalties on reducing crime.
Critics, however, caution that capital punishment does not address underlying causes of crime, such as economic deprivation, unemployment, systemic inequality and the proliferation of illicit arms. They argue that without deeper social reforms, punitive measures alone cannot sustainably curb criminality and may instead exacerbate grievances within marginalised populations. In previous legal reforms and discussions, justice advocates have highlighted the importance of due process, rehabilitation opportunities for offenders and investments in community development as complementary to the enforcement of criminal statutes.
Goni’s case now moves into a phase where his legal team may pursue appeals and clemency petitions. Under Nigerian law, condemned prisoners typically have the right to appeal to higher courts, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, challenging procedural aspects of their trials or interpretations of the law. Separate avenues for executive clemency or sentence commutation also exist, though they are discretionary and often influenced by public sentiment, legal advocacy and political considerations.
The verdict has prompted reactions within legal and civic communities, with some observers applauding the judiciary’s firmness and others urging restraint and review. For the families of the victims, the conviction may represent a measure of closure after years of seeking justice. For broader society, the case underscores enduring tensions in Nigeria’s justice system about balancing punishment with fairness, human rights and long-term strategies for tackling crime.
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