Posted by Chinenye on Tue 02nd Jun, 2026 - tori.ng
A dramatic court ruling has brought a major criminal case to a close after five men were found guilty of serious offences linked to a violent late-night operation in Minna.
(5 Men Sentenced to Death. Photo by Leadership News)
A High Court in Minna has sentenced five men to death by hanging after convicting them of armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and causing grievous harm.
Justice Mohammed Adishetu Mohammed of High Court No. 4 delivered the verdict, ruling that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt against all five defendants Mikisal Ibrahim, Abubakar Ibraham, Anthony Ibrahim, Aliyu Mohammed, and Murtala Junaidu, all residents of Minna.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Attorney General of Niger State under the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, the Penal Code Law, and other relevant statutes.
According to the prosecution, on July 9, 2023, at approximately 2:15 a.m., the five men stormed the Tunga, Minna residence of Alhaji Abdulkareem Abdullahi, owner of Talakawa Pharmacy, armed with machetes, cutlasses, and cudgels.
They held members of the household hostage for over three hours, making off with N250,000 in cash, four mobile phones, an HP laptop belonging to the victim's daughters, and jewellery.
Four witnesses testified for the prosecution during the trial, including investigating police officers from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) and the victim's daughters, who recounted their ordeal before the court.
After a judgment that lasted over two hours, Justice Mohammed said he had carefully reviewed all evidence, exhibits, witness testimonies, and the defendants' statements, resolving every issue raised in favour of the prosecution.
He consequently found all five defendants guilty on all three counts and sentenced them to death by hanging.