Port Harcourt Magistrate Court Sentences Man to Imprisonment for Machete Attack
A Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has delivered a significant judgment in a violent assault case. The court sentenced 28-year-old Chigozie Ordu to one year imprisonment for unlawfully assaulting two siblings and causing them grievous bodily harm with a machete.
Details of the Violent Incident
The court convicted Ordu on a two-count charge concerning the unlawful assault of Chinaza Victor and Samuel Victor. According to court records, the defendant attacked Chinaza Victor with a machete, inflicting serious injuries on her left hand and back. He also assaulted Samuel Victor, cutting him on the head during the same violent episode.
The incident occurred on January 4, 2022, at Jesus Avenue, off School Road, in the Igwuruta-Ali area within the Port Harcourt Magisterial District. The location details provided crucial context for understanding the geographical scope of the court's jurisdiction in this matter.
Court's Rejection of Self-Defence Plea
Delivering the judgment, Chief Magistrate Illaye Brown held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court specifically dismissed the defendant's plea of self-defence, ruling that it failed to meet the necessary legal requirements.
According to Magistrate Brown's detailed explanation, for self-defence to be valid under Nigerian law, several elements must be established:
- Proof of grave and sudden provocation
- Evidence of actual and reasonable loss of self-control
- Demonstration of proportionate retaliation
The court determined that Ordu instigated the incident and failed to establish any of these essential elements. This legal analysis formed a crucial part of the judgment's reasoning.
Additional Factors in the Judgment
Chief Magistrate Brown further noted that the defendant showed no remorse throughout the trial proceedings. The court also rejected the claim that the complainants attacked the defendant first, observing a significant discrepancy in evidence.
During the proceedings, Ordu had no visible injuries, while the complainants appeared in court with bandaged wounds from the assault. This physical evidence strongly contradicted the defendant's version of events.
Sentencing and Legal Framework
The court consequently sentenced Ordu to one year imprisonment on each count under Section 335 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. II, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning the defendant will serve one year total imprisonment.
Background of Previous Legal Action
The judgment also recalled that in 2022, prosecuting counsel Christian Njigwum had filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the defendant before Justice Ben Whyte of the Rivers State High Court. That court had ruled in favour of the complainants and awarded damages of N1 million against Ordu, which remains unpaid to date.
Speaking after the judgment, prosecution counsel Christian Njigwum expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting it represented justice for the assault victims. The case highlights the judicial system's handling of violent crimes in Rivers State.
