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, holding 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 Dec. 24, 2019, at Nodu Village, Awka, following a dispute between the defendant and his father.
According to the prosecution, 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 unattended for two days without seeking medical assistance, locking him in a room until neighbours raised the alarm after perceiving an offensive odour.
The body 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 counsel from the Office of the Public Defender.
The defence called two witnesses and denied responsibility for the death.
In his judgment, 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.
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