A Delta State High Court sitting at Akwukwu-igbo, on Friday sentenced Obinna Eze to death by hanging for killing a six-month-old child. Eze faced three charges brought against him by the Delta State Government for attempted murder, murder, and causing grievous harm.
The charges traced from the killing a six-month-old boy, Chimaobi Igwe, and the assault on the boy’s mother Mrs. Blessing Igwe.
Eze pleaded not guilty, but the case proceeded to trial. Delivering his judgment on Friday, Justice Marcel Okoh, declared the defendant guilty of all the charges.
He emphasised that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, relying on evidence provided by the child’s mother, the pathologist, and the confessional statement obtained by the police.
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Justice Okoh dismissed the defendant’s denial and the retraction of his confessional statement. Consequently, the court sentenced Eze to death by hanging for the murder of the infant.
The prosecution team led by Mr. Omamuzo Erebe, the State Solicitor and Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Justice. Erebe revealed that the crime occurred on Oct. 27, 2023, on Talita Street, Okpanam Road Asaba.
The prosecution stated that the defendant’s action violated Sections 320, 319 and 335 of the Criminal Code of Delta State.
Testifying in court, Mrs. Igwe, recounted that the incident followed a dispute with Eze and co-tenant, over a missing phone. She explained that Eze attacked her with a cutlass, leaving her with injuries and inflicted fatal wounds on her child, who passed away a week later in the hospital.
Pathologist Dr. Emmanuel Egbuduka confirmed in his testimony that the child succumbed to the deep head injuries. The defendant represented by his lawyer, Mr. P. Onubah was the sole witness in his defense.
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