Court discharges man accused of killing another over Indian hemp

An FCT High Court in Maitama has struck out a case of culpable homicide against one Chibuike Ikedukwu, who allegedly caused the death of one Safiyanu Idris over Indian hemp purchase.

Arraigned on February 3, 2016 as a teenager, Ikedukwu, now 21, was accused of stabbing Idris to death on Dec. 31, 2014, at Rafin Kwari in Kwari area of Abuja. He allegedly stabbed the deceased in the stomach following an argument on non-payment of the money for Indian hemp that Ikedukwu allegedly sold to him.

The court was told that the offence was contrary to Section 220 (a) of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 221 of the code.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the prosecuting counsel, Olubukola Ajiga, told the court that the prosecution could not get enough evidence to convict the defendant but that she lacked the power to withdraw the matter from the court, as she did not have the mandate of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to do so.

She said the second prosecution witness, called to testify, said the family of the deceased was not willing to pursue the case further, and that they were pulling out of the matter which thus made prosecuting the case difficult.

Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, however said the court had no option, in view of the prevailing circumstance, but to strike out the case.

“The business of the court is not a picnic. In view of the position the prosecution has found itself, I hereby strike out the case, and the accused person is discharged accordingly,” he held.