Court jails man for life over friend’s death in Abuja

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A Federal Capital Territory High Court has sentenced Ekang Bassey to life imprisonment for the death of his friend, Emeka Nnonifu, following a disagreement at a birthday celebration in the Kubwa area of the FCT.

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This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh.

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Adeh said the conviction followed a thorough investigation by the Command into the incident, which occurred on January 6,2024.

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The statement said Bassey was initially charged with culpable homicide punishable with death, contrary to Section 220(a) and (b) of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 221 of the same law.

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According to the police, evidence before the court showed that the defendant and the deceased were friends, and that the deceased had organised the birthday celebration which the defendant attended.

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“A disagreement between both men subsequently escalated into a physical confrontation, culminating in the fatal incident,” the statement said.

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The police said the prosecution led evidence during trial establishing that the defendant assaulted the deceased by slapping and pushing him, causing him to fall and strike his head on a concrete surface, leading to fatal injuries.

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In its judgment delivered in Suit No. FCT/HC/CR/330/2024, the court held that although the unlawful act of the defendant caused the death of the deceased, the requisite intention or knowledge necessary to sustain a conviction under Section 221 of the Penal Code was not established beyond reasonable doubt.

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“The Court, however, held that the evidence adduced by the Prosecution established that the defendant unlawfully caused the death of the deceased and consequently convicted him of culpable homicide under Section 224 of the Penal Code, sentencing him to life imprisonment,” the statement added.

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The FCT Police Command said it remains committed to ensuring that offenders are brought to justice while upholding the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all persons.

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