Court sentences two men to death by hanging for raping, murdering 17-year-old girl in Anambra

An Anambra State High Court sitting in Ogidi has sentenced two men, Elochukwu Belonwu and Chukwuebuka Ofokwu, to death by hanging for the rape and murder of 17-year-old Jennifer Anene.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice U.I. Ndigwe held that the prosecution successfully proved the three-count charge against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge ruled that the evidence presented before the court clearly established the guilt of both men, describing their actions as a grave violation of societal values that demanded accountability.

During the trial, the Principal State Counsel, Florence Abadom-Igweike, told the court that Jennifer, who was reportedly living with a mental illness, was declared missing by her grandfather, Pius Anene, on November 25, 2020.

According to the prosecution, three days later, the wife of the first defendant informed the victim’s family that she had witnessed her husband and others sexually assaulting the teenager while she screamed for help.

The prosecutor said that when Belonwu was confronted, he denied taking part in the assault, claiming he had last seen Jennifer in the company of the second defendant.

The court also heard that a mutual friend of the defendants, identified simply as Akpuchukwu, who remains at large, later brought the unconscious victim home before fleeing the scene.

Jennifer was rushed to the hospital on the instruction of the police but was confirmed dead on arrival.

A post-mortem examination presented before the court revealed bruises, vaginal tears and other injuries consistent with severe sexual assault.

The prosecution further disclosed that the first defendant’s wife failed to testify despite being summoned by the court.

Both defendants testified in their defence and denied the allegations.

After reviewing the evidence, Justice Ndigwe found the two men guilty on all counts and sentenced them to death by hanging.

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