Two Men Sentenced to Death Over Murder and Rape of Anambra Teenager

(Anambra Map. Photo Credit: Sun Nigeria)

After being found guilty of rape and the murder of Jennifer Anene, a 17-year-old girl, two men, Elochukwu Belonwu and Chukwuebuka Ofokwu, were given death by hanging sentences by the High Court of Anambra State, Ogidi Judicial Division.

According to the charge sheet registered HID/23C/2021, which our correspondent was able to get on Saturday, the two defendants were found guilty on three counts of conspiracy, rape, and murder.

A Federal High Court sitting in Anambra State has sentenced two men to death by hanging after finding them guilty of r@pe, conspiracy and the mur der of a mentally challenged teenager identified as Jennifer.

Justice U.I. Ndigwe, who delivered the judgment on Wednesday, held that the prosecution proved the three charges against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge convicted the duo after reviewing the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence, describing the offences as acts that demanded accountability and desecrated societal values.

Leading the prosecution, the Principal State Counsel, Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Florence Abadom-Igweike, told the court that Jennifer, who was said to be mentally challenged, was reported missing by her grandfather, Pius Anene, on November 25, 2020.

She said three days later, the wife of the first defendant reported seeing her husband and others sexually ass@ulting the teenager while she screamed for help.

According to the prosecutor, when Anene confronted the first defendant, he denied the allegation and claimed he had last seen Jennifer with the second defendant.

She said shortly afterwards, a mutual friend identified only as “Akpuchukwu” brought Jennifer home unconscious and fled the scene.

Jennifer was rushed to hospital on police instruction but was confirmed d£ad on arrival, with an autopsy later revealing bruises, vaginal tears and clear signs of aggravated sexual ass@ult.

The prosecution called two witnesses, the deceased’s grandfather and the investigating police officer, and tendered the postmortem report, police investigation report and photographs as exhibits. The eyewitness, who is the first defendant’s wife, however, refused to testify despite being served.

The defendants testified in their own defence and denied the allegations.

After reviewing the evidence and submissions, Justice Ndigwe held that the prosecution had established the offences of r@pe, conspiracy and mur der beyond reasonable doubt.

Delivering judgment, the judge said the verdict answered the cry for justice of a child whose blood demanded accountability, and of a society whose values were desecrated.

Adding that it stood as further proof of the commitment and diligence of law officers in the Anambra State Ministry of Justice to ensure justice is served, no matter how long it takes.

The judge held that the evidence before the court established the guilt of both defendants on all counts, and they were accordingly found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.