Anambra court frees three murder suspects, sentences one to 21 years imprisonment

An Onitsha High court, Anambra State on Tuesday discharged and acquitted three persons, Wilfred Ezike Mgbiligba, Chosom Amakaeze and Paul Anozie and sentenced one Sunday Emenike to 21 years imprisonment for the murder of Akachukwu Ezebuilo.

Tribune Online gathered that the four who were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy and murder were during the trial accused of the murder of Akachukwu Ezebuilo at No. 1, Zik’s Avenue, Fegge Onitsha on 10th September 2018.

According to the charge they were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder of Akachukwu Ezebuilo and another two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse.

The four had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges claiming that they were not at the scene of the incident on a fateful day.

Delivering the judgment, Justice S.N. Odili said the trio of Wilfred Ezike Mgbiligba, Chisom Amakaeze and Paul Anozie, proved beyond reasonable doubt that they were not involved and present in the murder of the deceased on the day in question.

He, however, did not exonerate Sunday Emenike from involvement in the conspiracy and attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse, saying his defence statement was not able to convince the court of non-involvement.

“I am convinced from what he told the court that he was involved in the conspiracy and attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse.

“It has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was involved and I hereby sentence him to four years imprisonment for conspiracy and 21 years for the attempted murder of Nnamdi Obumse. The sentences are to run concurrently,” the judge said.

Pleading for mercy, counsel to the convict, Barr. K. K. Oguejiofor said that the convict was a first offender and had conducted himself orderly throughout the four years he was in detention.

The lead counsel to the accused, Barr. Chuma Oguejiofor had in his contribution said that he was happy that his friend, Wilfred Ezike Mgbiligba, has been set free.

Commending the judge, other defend counsels and plaintiff counsels, he however posited that they may head to Appeal court after going through the certified true copy of the judgment sheet to get a better judgment for the convicted Sunday Emenike.

Also, two other counsels for the defendants, Barristers Emmanuel Ezemenari and Lawrence Ndukaihe, said that they were 11 accused persons out of which seven were earlier discharged and acquitted for want of evidence.

“We may appeal the judgment after studying it to give better judgment to Sunday Emenike.”

Commending the judge for a job well done, the counsel to the plaintiffs, Barr Gozie Obi, said that, “it was a well-deserved judgment for the convict.

“He is a danger to society, he should go in for the crime he committed.

“He was arrested at Awkuzu SARS while he was facing another crime that investigation was going on.”

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state…Osun APC faction rejects  Osun APC faction rejects

Selfies, video calls and Chinese documentaries: The things you’ll meet onboard Lagos-Ibadan train

The Lagos-Ibadan railway was inaugurated recently for a full paid operation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation after about a year of free test-run. Our reporter joined the train to and fro Lagos from Ibadan and tells his experience in this report…Osun APC faction rejects  Osun APC faction rejects