Death Row Trio Freed After (5) Years As Court Of Appeal Tears Down Conviction.

By,giwa alex, Jos .

 In a stunning turn of legal fate, the Court of Appeal, Jos Judicial Division, has quashed the capital convictions of Mohammed Adamu, Usman Pate, and Zakari Dembo, who have languished on death row for over five harrowing years.

The embattled trio were previously convicted and sentenced to death by the High Court of Plateau State sitting in Langtang, following charges filed by the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command.

 The verdict had sparked controversy, with many legal observers pointing to alleged procedural lapses and evidentiary concerns.

Challenging their conviction, the appellants  through Appeal Nos :

CA/J/292/C/2024 (Mohammed Adamu)

CA/J/293/C/2024 (Usman Pate)

CA/J/294/C/2024 (Zakari Dembo)

 approached the Court of Appeal, Jos Division, seeking a complete overturn of the lower court’s ruling.

Represented by lead counsel Barr. Munir Baru Abdullahi, the appellants mounted a robust challenge against the trial court’s findings. 

On the opposing side, Barr. A.O. Ochogwu appeared for the Respondent ,the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command.

Delivering the lead judgment virtually, Hon. Justice A. A. Akinyemi (JCA) declared the appeals meritorious, leading to a unanimous decision by the appellate panel which included :

Hon. Justice M. O. Yusuff (Presiding Justice).

Hon. Justice P. O. Affen (JCA).

“The Appeal has merit and is hereby allowed. The Judgment of the Lower Court is set aside.

 The Appellant is hereby Acquitted and Discharged.”

The ruling applied individually to all three appellants, effectively nullifying the death sentences and marking their legal vindication.

Speaking to Reality Newspaper, lead defence counsel Barr. Munir Baru Abdullahi hailed the appellate court’s decision as a landmark victory for rule of law and judicial integrity.

“Justice has finally prevailed. My clients endured five years of uncertainty on death row.

 This judgment reaffirms the appellate system’s critical role in correcting miscarriages of justice,” Barr. Baru stated.

Reality newspaper reported that 

efforts to reach the Respondent’s counsel for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.