The Anambra High Court in Ogidi Judicial Division has sentenced two men, Elochukwu Belonwu and Chukwuebuka Ofokwu, to death by hanging for conspiracy, rape, and the murder of a 17-year-old girl, Jennifer Anene.
Court Delivers Verdict
The presiding judge, U. I. Ndigwe, delivered the judgment on Friday in Suit No. HID/23C/2021, holding that the prosecution had proved the three-count charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge condemned the acts of the convicts, describing them as a violation that demanded accountability and had desecrated societal values.
Prosecution's Case
Leading the prosecution, Principal State Counsel Florence Abadom-Igweike told the court that the deceased, said to be mentally impaired, was reported missing on 25 November 2020 by her grandfather, Pius Anene. She stated that three days later, the first defendant's wife told the family that she had witnessed her husband and others sexually assaulting the deceased as she screamed for help.
When confronted, the first defendant denied the allegation and claimed he had last seen the deceased in the company of the second defendant. A mutual friend of the defendants, identified only as Akpuchukwu, later brought the deceased home unconscious and fled the scene; he remains at large.
The prosecution counsel said the victim was rushed to the hospital on police instruction but was confirmed dead on arrival. A postmortem examination revealed bruises, vaginal tears, and other signs of aggravated sexual assault.
Evidence and Witnesses
Two witnesses—the victim's grandfather and the investigating police officer—testified for the prosecution. The postmortem report, police investigation report, and photographic evidence were also tendered in court. The prosecution also told the court that the eyewitness, the first defendant's wife, declined to testify despite being served with a court summons.
The defendants, who testified in their own defence, denied the allegations.
Judgment and Sentence
Delivering judgment, Justice Ndigwe held that the evidence before the court established the guilt of both defendants on all counts and sentenced them to death by hanging.
