An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has sentenced Ifeanyi Anizoba Jnr to death by hanging for the killing of his father, Ifeanyi Anizoba.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Chukwudi Okaa ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that the defendant’s actions directly led to his father’s death.
According to the charge, the incident occurred on December 24, 2019, at Nodu Village in Awka following a dispute between the father and son. The court heard that during the altercation, the defendant pushed his father, causing him to hit his head against a wall and lose consciousness.
Rather than seek medical help, the court was told that the defendant left his father unattended for two days, locking him inside a room. The situation only came to light after neighbours noticed a foul odour and raised the alarm, leading to the discovery of the body.
The prosecution, led by Chief State Counsel Chiamaka Chukwuka, presented three witnesses during the trial, including a family member, the investigating police officer, and the medical doctor who carried out the autopsy.
The defendant initially had no legal representation but was later assigned counsel by the Office of the Public Defender. The defence called two witnesses and denied responsibility for the death.
However, in his ruling, Justice Okaa held that the evidence presented before the court clearly showed that the defendant’s actions resulted in the fatal outcome.
“The totality of the evidence before the court established that the defendant’s actions led to the death of the deceased,” the judge said, before pronouncing the sentence.
