Uchendu Mark – Port Harcourt
A state high court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell-Dike and Ugochukwu Nwamiro to death by hanging for the murder of an eight year old Victory Chikamso.
The two convicts are year two students of the University of Port Harcourt.
The trail Judge, Justice Adolphus Enebeli ruled that Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell-Dike, a second year student of Physics department, should be hanged on the neck until he dies, while Ugochukwu Nwamiro should be hanged on his leg until he is dead.
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The court sentence Sergeant Johnbosco Okoronze who was found guilty of aiding and assisting the escape of Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell-Dike from police custody to one year imprisonment.
Justice Enebeli ruled he decided to sentence Sergeant Okoronze to one year in prison because he has served two years in prison already and has been dismissed from police force.
The Justice relied his judgment against the second defendant, Ugochukwu Nwamiro on the voluntary confessional statement made by the first defendant Dike who in his four page statement maintained that he was asked to bring the little girl’s sensitive organs for financial rituals.
The court ruled that the prosecution proved his case beyond reasonable doubts while insisting that the counsel to the first defendant, Lezina Amegwa in his first written address did not deny the that his client committed the offense of murder but said he is senile.
Our correspondent reports the pronouncement by the Judge caused the family of the convinted especially the family of Ugochukwu Nwamiro to break out in uncontrollable tears and Lamentation.
Speaking to newsmen out the court, the state Prosecution Counsel, Chidi Eke described the judgment as landmark, saying that it has given justice to the state, the family of late Victory Chikamso and the soul of the departed.
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On his part, counsel to Ugochukwu Nwamiro, John Ndah expressed displeasure over the judgment and said it will be appealed.
Lezina Amegwa who is counsel to Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell-Dike said he may not appeal the matter because of the circumstances in the judgment.
Eight years old Victory Chikamso was murdered on 18th August, 2017 and parts of her reproductive organs and fingers were chopped off.
Her assailant Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell-Dike, was first apprehended by local vigilante in Eliozu community in Obio-Akpor Local Government and handed over to Nigerian Police.
Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell-Dike later escaped from police custody and was
rearrested in Jos, Plateau state.
