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.
Judgment Delivered by Justice Ndigwe
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 against the defendants 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 Case Presented by State Counsel
Leading the prosecution, Principal State Counsel Florence Abadom-Igweike told the court that the deceased, who was mentally impaired, was reported missing on 25 November 2020 by her grandfather, Pius Anene. 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.
According to Abadom-Igweike, 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.
Victim Confirmed Dead at Hospital
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.
Two witnesses—the victim's grandfather and the investigating police officer—testified for the prosecution, while 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.
Defendants Denied Allegations
The defendants, who testified in their own defence, denied the allegations. However, 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.
