3 students arraigned for stabbing

Three students of Government Secondary School (GSS), Masaka, Nasarawa State, accused of stabbing an auto-mechanic apprentice, Hassan Gambo, of new Karshi, Karu Local Government, of the state, were on Monday arraigned before an Upper Area Court in Masaka, Nasarawa.

The arraigned students, Suleiman Lawal (16), Ajinge Emmanuel (18) and Collins Markus (18), are facing a two-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and causing grievous hurt without provocation.

It was gathered that three other students, Bright Emeka, Yasa Abubakar and Mustapha Mohammed, who are allegedly involved in attacking the said apprentice are presently at large.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Frank Swem, told the court that on March 17, 2018, at about 12:30pm, the complainant, Gambo left his workshop to defecate behind GSS Masaka, and that as he was returning to the workshop, at GSS junction, one Suleiman Lawal and others blocked the way and engaged him in a fight.

“They stabbed him with a knife on his shoulder and as a result of the stabbing he fell down unconscious having lost so much blood,” the prosecutor said.

He added that when the complainant regained unconsciousness, he could not tell how he got to the hospital.

He said one of the accused, Lawal, took to his heels and entered the office of a school teacher, Mr Yerima David, and escaped through the window.

According to the prosecutor, the offence is punishable under sections 97 and 247 of the penal code of Northern Nigeria.

The accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.

The presiding judge, Yakubu Ishaku, ordered that the accused be remanded in police custody.

The case was adjourned to April, 16, 2018 for hearing.