An Ogwashi-uku High Court in Delta State yesterday sentenced one Chukwutem Eke, a farmer to death by hanging for the murder of a 15 year old boy in the area.
The presiding Judge, Justice Theresa Diai, in her judgment said that Chukwutem was guilty of the charge of murder adding that the Prosecution led by Barrister O.F Enenmo successfully established the evidence of murder against him.
During trials, neighbours had confirmed that the accused person beheaded the teenager for ritual purposes, but he denied the allegation.
In her judgment however, Justice Diai said: “having found Chukwutem Eke, guilty of the murder of Chukwudi Ossai, I hereby sentence you to death, that you be hung by the neck until you be dead, may God have mercy on your soul”.
Justice Diai in the same judgment discharged the second accused person,? Ogorchukwu Omolu who was standing trial for the same murder of Master Ossai on the ground that the offence of conspiracy to commit murder levelled against him could not be proved by the prosecution.
Both Chukwutem and Omolu, a tractor operator were charged on a two count of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, punishable under section 324 and 319(1) cap 48 volume II of the criminal code law of Bendel State of Nigeria as applicable to Delta State.
Chukwutem, a native of Ogume, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state was said to have attacked Master Ossai, (now deceased) and his sister Onuwa, both of whom had gone to weed their father’s farm on November 30, 2008.
While the sister succeeded in escaping from their assailant, the younger brother was unlucky and was left at the mercy of the accused who cut off his head and had other vital parts of his body removed.
?During cross-examination, sister to the deceased reportedly confirmed how she escaped during the attack by the accused person adding that it was the same day that her brother was killed.
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