A High Court in Plateau State has sentenced Emmanuel Ude, a former student of Government Technical College, Bukuru, to death by hanging for the murder of his teacher, Mr. Job Dashe, in 2021.

Justice Silas Bakfur delivered the ruling on Monday after a prolonged trial, declaring Ude guilty of culpable homicide punishable under Sections 221 and 222 of the Plateau State Penal Code.

The incident occurred in July 2021 while Ude was still enrolled at the college in Jos South Local Government Area. During a routine inspection in the school’s dining hall, Mr. Dashe, who was on duty, asked Ude to open his food flask over suspicions of breaching school food policies. Ude declined and left the hall, only to return shortly after with a knife and stab the teacher in the chest before fleeing.

Mr. Dashe was rushed to a hospital along Vom Road but was later confirmed dead.

Ude was arrested days later. According to the State Criminal Investigation Department, he confessed to the crime during interrogation—a confession that formed a key part of the prosecution’s case.

Prosecutors Nansil Mbah and Solomon Deme from the Plateau State Ministry of Justice argued that the killing was intentional and premeditated. The case was in court for nearly four years.

Despite a plea for mercy from Ude’s lawyer, Josil Drinkat, citing the convict’s remorse, Justice Bakfur stated that the law must be upheld.

"The prosecution has proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. The hands of the court are tied," the judge said.

Ude was sentenced to death by hanging until he is confirmed dead.