Anambra Court Sentences Vigilante to Death by Hanging for Phone Repairer Murder
A High Court in the Ogbaru Judicial Division of Anambra State has delivered a landmark judgment, sentencing a vigilante operative to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a phone repairer. The verdict marks a significant development in the state's judicial handling of security-related crimes.
Details of the Judgment and Incident
The Administrative Judge, Justice Charles Okaa, pronounced the sentence on Thursday, March 5, 2026, finding Onyeka Eze guilty of murdering Anayo Ugbo. The prosecution, led by Assistant Chief State Counsel Chinyere Aganama-Onyeze from the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, presented a compelling case that detailed the events leading to the tragic death.
According to court records, the incident occurred on May 5, 2022, at the Shoe Site Market in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area. Anayo Ugbo, originally from Ogboji Ezzagu in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was repairing a phone when Onyeka Eze summoned him to meet their "boss" at the vigilante office located within a three-storey building in the market.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Tragedy
Ugbo initially requested time to finish his repair work, but Eze insisted he follow immediately. The phone repairer eventually complied, accompanied by his customer. Upon arrival at the vigilante office, the boss was absent, and Ugbo pleaded to return to his shop to continue working. This request was refused by Eze.
Instead, the vigilante operative demanded that Ugbo pay for a previous altercation involving a damaged chair and spilled pepper soup—an incident the victim denied any involvement in. When Ugbo refused the demand, Eze allegedly assaulted him and pushed him from the third floor of the building.
The fall caused severe head injuries, and despite receiving treatment at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Ugbo succumbed to his injuries two days later.
Court Proceedings and Evidence Presented
During the trial, the prosecution presented four key witnesses:
- An eyewitness to the incident
- A medical doctor who conducted the postmortem examination
- A police inspector involved in the investigation
- Sunday Ugbo, the victim's brother
The victim's brother testified that Ugbo had recounted the entire incident to him in the presence of his customer and eyewitness Joshua Igwe. This testimony proved crucial in establishing the sequence of events.
Defense and Final Ruling
Onyeka Eze, who maintained his innocence throughout the trial, testified on his own behalf. However, under cross-examination, he failed to prove he was an authorized vigilante operative. The defendant, originally from Enueiji in Ika North Local Government Area of Delta State, was 26 years old at the time of the incident in 2022 and is now 30.
Justice Okaa ruled that the prosecution had established the case beyond reasonable doubt, stating: "The prosecution proved the case of murder against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt." The judge emphasized the gravity of the crime and the need for justice in cases involving security personnel abusing their positions.
This judgment serves as a stern warning against vigilante operatives who might consider taking the law into their own hands, while also providing some measure of closure to the victim's family after nearly four years of legal proceedings.
