26th January, 2016
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
An operative of the Edo State Command of the Nigerian Police, Corporal Amadin Idahosa, was Monday sentenced to life imprisonment by a Benin City High Court, for shooting to death a 22-year-old youth, Ibrahim Momodu, in 2013.
Idahosa, who was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on murder, was said to have committed the offence at about 11pm on 27 May, 2013, in Benin.
Prosecution had during trial, told the Court that the convict shot Momodu, who was then a final year student of the University of Benin, at Obayuwana junction, along Siluko road.
The State Prosecutor from the Department of Public Prosecution, M. O. Omozeghian, further told the Court that the offence was punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap. 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, as applicable in Edo State.
In her judgement, the presiding Judge, Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh, who dismissed the allegation of murder, sentenced the accused to life imprisonment, due to the inability of the prosecution to prove its case.
In his response, Counsel to Idahosa, Mr. Olayiwola Afolabi, who said the accused was a first offender who does not deserve to bear the full weight of the law, said his client would appeal the judgement.