BY NDAHI MARAMA
MAIDUGURI –  Three men, Haruna Goni Usman, Jabo Mallam Kansulum and Salleh Mallam Ali were, Wednesday, arraigned before a Maiduguri high court by the Borno State Commissioner for  Justice and Attorney General, Mr Kaka Shehu Lawan for allegedly killing one Bulama Jolti in his farm in Bama local  government area of the state.

According to the charge sheet, the three men from Zinda village conspired to allegedly beat the deceased and used a knife to stab him. They also cut his body into pieces with a spear as a result of which he died on the spot.

They were said to have committed the offence in October,  2012.

The trio were arraigned on two-count charge of conspiracy,  murder and culpable homicide punishable with death under section 97(1) and 221(b) of the penal code law of Borno  State.

When the charge sheet was read to the accused men they  pleaded guilty to the charges but the commissioner who  personally appeared in court enter for non guilty plead for  the accused because the offence is a capital punishment and to enable him call witnesses on the next adjourned date.

Barrister Peter Bwala a legal officer from the legal aid  council of Nigeria who represented the accused did not  object to this and the presiding judge at the Maiduguri high  court 12, Justice Alkali Gana Wakil granted this request  before adjoining the case to 21,March, 2013 for hearing and  subsequently remanded the accused men in prison custody.

Meanwhile the commissioner for justice, Kaka Shehu Lawan  yesterday said the state is determined in its effort to  decongest the prison by ensuring speedy dispensation of  justice.

The commissioner in an interview with our correspondent  after appearing in court explained that this is one of the  reasons why he decided to be coming to court and prosecuting  cases.