Man sentenced to life for killing friend at Abuja party

A High Court in Abuja has sentenced Ekang Bassey to life in prison for killing his friend, Emeka Nnonifu, during a birthday party in Kubwa, Abuja.

This decision was shared on Thursday by SP Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command.

She explained that the judgment came after a detailed police investigation into the event that happened on January 6, 2024.

The statement noted that Bassey was first charged with culpable homicide, which can lead to the death penalty under Sections 220(a) and (b) and Section 221 of the Penal Code.

The police indicated that evidence presented in court showed Bassey and Nnonifu were friends. Nnonifu had thrown the birthday party that Bassey attended.

“A disagreement between both men later turned into a fight, leading to the tragic event,” the statement said.

The prosecution claimed that Bassey hit Nnonifu by slapping and pushing him. This caused Nnonifu to fall and hit his head on the ground, leading to severe injuries.

Court Findings

In Suit No. FCT/HC/CR/330/2024, the court ruled that while Bassey’s actions led to Nnonifu’s death, the prosecution did not prove he had the intent needed for a conviction under Section 221 of the Penal Code.

However, the court found him guilty of culpable homicide under Section 224 of the Penal Code and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

“The court stated that the evidence presented by the prosecution showed that the defendant caused the death of the deceased unlawfully and therefore convicted him of culpable homicide under Section 224 of the Penal Code, sentencing him to life imprisonment,” the statement continued.

The police command emphasized that this judgment shows their effort to make sure offenders face justice while respecting the law and the rights of everyone involved.