Man Gets Death Sentence For Killing Father In Anambra

A High Court in Anambra State has convicted and sentenced one Ifeanyi Anizoba Jr to death by hanging for the murder of his father, Ifeanyi Anizoba.

Delivering judgment in Awka, the trial judge, Justice Chukwudi Okaa, found the defendant guilty of the offence, adding that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution, led by chief state counsel, Mrs Chiamaka Chukwuka, told the court that the incident occurred on December 24, 2019, at Nodu Village, Awka, the state capital, following a dispute between the defendant and his father.

The prosecution had in its submission alleged that the defendant pushed his father during an altercation, causing him to hit his head against a wall and lose consciousness.

The court heard that the defendant left his father for two days without seeking medical assistance.

He also locked him up in a room until his neighbours raised the alarm after perceiving an offensive odour.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the body of the deceased was subsequently discovered by family members. The prosecution called three witnesses, including a relative of the deceased, the investigating police officer and the medical doctor, who conducted the autopsy.

The defendant, who was initially without legal representation, was later assigned a counsel from the Office of the Public Defender.

The defence called two witnesses and denied responsibility for the death.

In his judgment, Justice Okaa held that the totality of the evidence established that the defendant’s actions led to the death of the deceased and accordingly convicted him.

He subsequently sentenced the defendant to death by hanging.