NIGERIA: COURT SENTENCES 17-YEAR-OLD TO DEATH

June 8, 2012: In Nigeria, a 17-year-old, Solomon Ezukwa, was sentenced to death by hanging by a Calabar High Court for killing his step-brother, Joseph Banyio.
According to the police prosecutor, Christian Ugwuoke, the two brothers were playing in their village in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State when an argument broke out between them. He said that in the course of the brawl, Ezukwa brought out a locally made rifle and shot the victim at close range; with the intention to kill.
However, Ezukwa had pleaded not guilty, and argued that he acted on self defence.
“When the argument ensued, it was my brother that ran into the house and brought out a machete which he used to hit me several times,” he said. “I then went into the house and brought out a gun to defend myself.”
The prosecution counsel, Adidi Egba argued that the law should take its course because, “The evidence before the court are overwhelming and clear testimonies that Solomon Ezukwa deliberately shot and killed his brother.”
But the defence counsel, Brown Obi, prayed the court to consider Solomon Ezukwa as a juvenile and discharge him.
Justice Tambe Ebuta gave the sentence after ruling that the exhibits tendered during the trial showed that the accused was guilty of the offence. (Sources: dailytimes.com.ng, olufamous.com, 11/06/2011)