NIGERIA: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER

July 21, 2012: In Nigeria, Chukwutem Eke, a farmer in Delta State, has been sentenced to death by hanging for beheading a 15-year old boy for rituals.
During his trial before the Ogwashi-Uku High Court in the state, Chukwutem alleged that he was contracted by the pastor of a certain white garment church to commit the act.
The prosecution, led by F. Enenmo, had told the court that the suspect attacked the deceased and his sister, Ossai Onuwa, with a cutlass while they were weeding their father’s farm on November 30, 2008, adding that the sister succeeded in escaping but the boy was overpowered and beheaded.
The convict had, in a confessional statement, admitted committing the offence, saying that he was contracted by a pastor of a certain white garment church with a promise of N20,000.
He had also taken police detectives to a place where the severed head of the boy was recovered, but during trial he denied the confessional statement.
Delivering her judgement, Justice Theresa Diai said, “Having found Chukwutem Eke guilty for the murder of Chukwudi Ossai, I hereby sentence you to death that you be hung by the neck until you be dead. May God have mercy on your soul.”
She said that the prosecution successfully established the ingredients of murder against Chukwutem Eke. (Sources: DailyTimes NG, 21/07/2012)