An Anambra High Court has sentenced a man to death by hanging for the killing of his father following a family dispute in 2019. The convict's mother has publicly pleaded with the court to reverse its decision and discharge her son.
Court Delivers Death Sentence
Justice Chukwudi Okaa of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka delivered the judgment on Monday, April 27, finding Ifeanyi Anizoba (jnr.) guilty of murdering his father, Ifeanyi Anizoba. The court ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the mandatory death sentence under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Act.
Details of the Incident
The prosecution, led by Chief State Counsel Mrs. Chiamaka Chukwuka, informed the court that the incident occurred on December 24, 2019, at Nodu village in Awka. During an altercation, the defendant pushed his father, causing him to hit his head against a wall and lose consciousness. The defendant then left his father unattended for two days without seeking medical care and locked him in a room. Neighbors raised the alarm after noticing a foul odor, leading to the discovery of the body.
Mother's Emotional Plea
In an exclusive interview after the judgment, the 58-year-old mother, identified only as Mrs. Anizoba, expressed grief over the loss of two men in her household. She stated, "Yes, my son caused the death of his father. But since 2019, my family has overcome the pain. I have repeatedly begged the lawyers to find a way for the court to free my son so we can go home and put our house in order." She vowed to appeal the verdict, saying, "If I do not succeed after the appeal, I will accept it as the will of God."
Prosecution's Case
Mrs. Chukwuka explained that the prosecution called three witnesses during the trial: a relative of the deceased, the investigating police officer, and the medical doctor who conducted the autopsy. The defendant, initially without legal representation, was later assigned counsel from the Office of the Public Defender. The defense called two witnesses and denied responsibility for the death.
Legal Context
Capital punishment is authorized under Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The court emphasized that the defendant's actions directly led to the death of his father, warranting the death sentence.
