Stephen Jiya, who was alleged to have set his biological mother ablaze, which resulted in her death sometime in 2022, is to know his fate on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, when the Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, will deliver the judgement.
The culprit was earlier arrested by the operatives of the homicide squad of the Niger State Police Command and was arraigned before a Minna Chief Magistrate Court number one, awaiting his case file to be transmitted to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.
He was alleged to have set his mother, Mrs. Comfort Jiya, a retired director in the state ministry of education who resides in the Dutsen Kura area of Minna, the Niger State capital.
The defendant was arraigned before the Minna Chief Magistrate on holding charge pending his final arraignment in the High Court by the office of the Attorney General for prosecution on culpable homicide, which is punishable under Section 221 of the penal code.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Ministry of Justice had advised that he should be charged before the High Court for proper prosecution in accordance with the provisions of Section 221 of the penal code.
The office of the Attorney General of Niger State formally charged him to court on September 14, 2022, while hearings into the case commenced on November 23, 2022, and Wednesday, December 13, 2023, was slated for the delivery of judgement by the Chief Judge of Niger State.
During his last appearance in court, the legal team from the office of the Attorney General closed their case, and his defence counsels also closed their case, while Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik adjourned to December 13 to deliver judgement.
Not fewer than six witnesses, including two members of the family and his younger sister, testified against the defendant during the trial.
Registrar and Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, has assured that the council will continue to provide quality service and ensure the integrity of the nation's school examination body.
Speaking on the occasion of the commissioning of the laudable projects of the council, which was held at the council's warehouse in Minna over the weekend, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi noted that the unrelenting commitment to excellence has driven the council forward in transforming its vision into reality.
He stated that the council, under his leadership, had in the last two years recorded tremendous achievements in physical structures and technological advancements which represent a testament to the dedication, resilience, and collective efforts of the entire staff of the council.
According to him, in response to a genuine demand for a second public examination body in Nigeria, the National Examination Council (NECO) was established.
"This call echoed the need for secondary school students to access a broader range of opportunities, foster healthy competition, and guarantee that every student would have access to a fair and credible assessment system," he said.
He pointed out that on assumption of office in July 2021, the council, under his leadership, undertook a critical assessment of the activities of the council, adding that "we initiated policies with the approval of the governing board of the council, which have brought about a positive turnaround of the council.".
Some of the achievements during his period, according to him, included the timely release of the results of all NECO examinations, the well-lit Council's headquarters, the NECO warehouse, the information and communication technology (ICT) department, and the Niger State office.
Other achievements he mentioned were the procurement of about 2,705 chairs and tables for use by staff and the procurement of generators, computers, printers, and photocopy machines for all 37 state offices and six zonal offices of the council, among others.
The NECO Chief Executive Officer disclosed that the acquisition of 707 brand new examination logistics vehicles marks a significant milestone in NECO's quest to ensure seamless and timely delivery of examination materials to all examination centres nationwide.
He stated that the vehicles, strategically deployed across the country, are aimed at eliminating the logistical challenges that have hitherto hindered the smooth conduct of examinations and ensuring that "our examinations are conducted without delay or disruption,".
In his remarks at the occasion, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Andrew David Adejoh, applauded the giant strides of the chief executive officer of NECO in transforming the council within the meagre resources accrued through the internally generated revenue (IGR).
The minister stated that the ministry will continue to encourage the council in its efforts to create an enabling and conducive working environment for its workers, noting that NECO, under Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, has performed up to its mandates.
