ABBA BELLO MOHAMMED (DELIVERING THE LEADING JUDGMENT): This appeal is against the judgment of the High Court of Justice, Minna, Niger State (the trial court), delivered by Hon. Justice Maimuna A. Abubakar on the 2nd day of February, 2022. Before the trial court, the Appellant, along with 26 others, were arraigned on a nine-count amended charge for the offences of culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, attempt to commit culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt, contrary to Sections 221, 79, 229 and 248 of the Penal Code Law of Nigeria State. The Appellant who was the 22nd Defendant, pleaded not guilty.
In proof of its case, the Respondent called fourteen witnesses (PW1 – PW14) and tendered Exhibits A – Exhibit Z and Exhibits 1 – 24. Upon the closure of the Respondent’s case, the Appellant decided to rest his case on that of the 1st – 8th and 10th – 15th Accused Persons and relied on their evidence. At the end of the trial, the trial court entered judgment on 2nd February, 2022 where…