Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence for Mohan Lawal

On July 4, 2025, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, sitting in Abuja, ruled on the appeal of Mohan Lawal, who was convicted of murder by the Akwa Ibom State High Court. The conviction stemmed from the murder of Godwin Georg Udofia on June 1, 2014.

Lawal had pleaded not guilty and presented three witnesses in his defense. The trial court found him guilty and sentenced him to death by hanging.

Lawal's appeal was initially dismissed by the Court of Appeal, prompting him to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court addressed several issues raised by Lawal's counsel, including claims of a breach of the right to a fair hearing and the admissibility of evidence.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court upheld the trial court's decision, stating that the evidence presented, including witness testimonies, was sufficient to convict Lawal beyond a reasonable doubt.