Man bags life imprisonment for the m#rder of his friend at a birthday party in Abuja

The FCT Police Command has secured the conviction of Ekang Philip Bassey, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the FCT High Court 25, presided over by Hon. Justice M. S. Idris, for the death of Emeka Nnonifu, which occurred on 6th January, 2024, at a hotel in the Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory.

The evidence before the Court revealed that the defendant and the deceased were friends. 

Police investigation showed that the deceased had organised a birthday celebration which the defendant attended, and a disagreement between the two men subsequently escalated into a physical confrontation, culminating in the fatal incident.

During the trial, the Prosecution led evidence establishing that the defendant ass@ulted the deceased by slapping and pushing him, causing him to fall and strike his head on a concrete surface. 

The deceased sustained fat@l injuries and was subsequently confirmed de@d.

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 de@th 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.

The Court, however, held that the evidence adduced by the Prosecution established that the defendant unlawfully caused the de@th of the deceased and consequently convicted him of culpable hom!cide under Section 224 of the Penal Code, sentencing him to life imprisonment.