Anambra Court Sentences Man to Death for Killing Father

An Anambra State High Court in Awka has sentenced Ifeanyi Anizoba Jnr to death by hanging for the killing of his father, Ifeanyi Anizoba.

Justice Chukwudi Okaa delivered the judgment on Monday, ruling that the prosecution proved the murder charge beyond reasonable doubt.

According to the prosecution, led by Chief State Counsel Chiamaka Chukwuka, the incident happened on December 24, 2019, in Nodu Village, Awka, following a dispute between the defendant and his father.

Court records showed the defendant pushed his father during the altercation, causing him to hit his head against a wall and lose consciousness. The court heard that he left his father unattended for two days without seeking medical help and locked him in a room. Neighbours reportedly raised the alarm after noticing a foul odour, leading to the discovery of the body by family members.

During the trial, the prosecution called three witnesses, including a relative of the deceased, the investigating police officer and the doctor who conducted the autopsy.

The defendant, who was later represented by counsel from the Office of the Public Defender, denied responsibility for the death and called two witnesses in his defence.

In his ruling, Justice Okaa held that the evidence presented showed the defendant’s actions directly caused his father’s death.

“The totality of the evidence before the court established that the defendant’s actions led to the death of the deceased,” the judge said while pronouncing the death sentence.