Anambra Court Gives Death Sentence to Two Men for Rape and Murder of 17-Year-Old Girl

The Anambra High Court in Ogidi has sentenced two men, Elochukwu Belonwu and Chukwuebuka Ofokwu, to death by hanging. They were found guilty of conspiracy, rape, and the murder of a 17-year-old girl named Jennifer Anene.

Judge U. I. Ndigwe announced the judgment on Friday in case number HID/23C/2021. He said the prosecution proved the three charges against the men beyond a reasonable doubt.

The judge condemned what the men did. He said it was a serious violation of the law and a blow to societal values.

Florence Abadom-Igweike, who led the prosecution, told the court that Jennifer was mentally impaired. Her grandfather, Pius Anene, reported her missing on 25 November 2020.

Three days later, the wife of the first defendant told the family she saw her husband and others sexually assaulting Jennifer while she cried for help.

The first defendant denied the claim. He said he last saw Jennifer with the second defendant. A mutual friend of the defendants, who is called Akpuchukwu, later brought Jennifer home unconscious and then ran away. He is still missing.

The prosecution said the police told them to rush the victim to the hospital, but she was dead when they arrived.

A postmortem examination showed bruises, vaginal tears, and other signs of severe sexual assault.

Two witnesses testified for the prosecution. They were the victim’s grandfather and the investigating police officer. The court also reviewed the postmortem report, the police investigation report, and photo evidence.

The prosecution mentioned that the eyewitness, who is the first defendant’s wife, did not testify even though she was served with a court summons.

Both defendants testified in their defense and denied the charges against them.

In delivering judgment, Justice Ndigwe stated that the evidence presented proved both defendants guilty on all counts. He sentenced them to death by hanging.