.png)
By Madu Obi
An Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha has sentenced three police officers to life imprisonment for allegedly killing a suspect.
The deceased ,Chukwunonso Uchenwoke, aged 42, hailed from Mbosi in the Ihiala local government area of the state.
Uchenwoke was reportedly killed while the police officers were effecting his arrest over alleged assault and malicious damage.
The officers allegedly committed the offence on 14th May 2016 at No 13 Ibe Street, East Niger Layout, Okpoko in Ogbaru local government area in the Onitsha Judicial Division.
As a consequence, the police personnel, Juliet Ekwueme, Ugochukwu Obiakor and Raphael Chike, were dismissed from the Nigerian Police Force.
Delivering judgement on the matter, the presiding judge, Justice A.O. Okuma held that the prosecution counsel proved his case beyond reasonable doubt, and therefore found the accused persons guilty of conspiracy and murder charges preferred against them.
Their offences were said to be contrary to Sections 495(a) and 274(I) of the Criminal Code Cap 36 Volume II, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991 as amended.
They were subsequently convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment for conspiracy, and life imprisonment for manslaughter.
C.J. Okeke prosecuted the case with the fiat of the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
After the judgement, the prosecutor, Okeke said it is succinct reminder that justice is still tenable with the right legal representatives.
While counsel to the first defendant, G.A Oluwatuase, said he would appeal the judgement , counsel to the second defendant, C.E Ezenwa Esqr., and that of the third defendant, C.J Agbata, said they would need a copy of the judgement to determine the next line of action.
Commenti