Anambra Court Sentences Two Men To Death For Rape, Murder Of 17-Year-Old

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

The judgment was delivered by Justice U. I. Ndigwe of the Ogidi Judicial Division on Friday in suit HID/23C/2021. The court held that prosecutors proved conspiracy, rape and murder beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution said Jennifer, who was described as mentally impaired, was reported missing by her grandfather, Pius Anene, on November 25, 2020.

A state counsel told the court that the first defendant’s wife later told the family she had seen her husband and others sexually assaulting the teenager while she screamed for help. The court heard that a friend of the defendants later brought Jennifer home unconscious and fled.

Jennifer was taken to hospital on police instruction but was confirmed dead. The prosecution tendered a postmortem report, police investigation report and photographs, while the defendants denied the allegations.

Justice Ndigwe found both men guilty on all counts and sentenced them to death by hanging.

Sources: Premium Times, Punch