The High Court of Anambra State sitting in the Ogidi Judicial Division has sentenced two men, Elochukwu Belonwu and Chukwuebuka Ofokwu, to death by hanging after finding them guilty of conspiring to rape and murder 17-year-old Jennifer Anene.
Justice U.I. Ndigwe delivered the judgment on Wednesday, ruling that the prosecution had successfully established all three charges against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
The case, filed under Charge No. HID/23C/2021, involved counts of conspiracy, rape and murder. After reviewing the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence, the court convicted the two men, describing the offences as serious crimes that violated societal values and demanded justice.
During the trial, the Principal State Counsel at the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Florence Abadom-Igweike, told the court that Jennifer, who was reportedly mentally challenged, was declared missing by her grandfather, Pius Anene, on November 25, 2020.
According to the prosecution, three days after her disappearance, the wife of the first defendant informed authorities that she had witnessed her husband and other individuals sexually assaulting the teenager while the victim cried out for help.
Mrs. Abadom-Igweike further stated that when Jennifer’s grandfather confronted the first defendant over the allegation, he denied involvement and claimed he had last seen the teenager with the second defendant. She told the court that shortly afterwards, a mutual acquaintance identified as “Akpuchukwu” returned Jennifer to her family unconscious before fleeing the scene.
Jennifer was subsequently taken to a hospital on the instruction of the police but was confirmed dead on arrival. An autopsy later revealed multiple bruises, vaginal tears and other injuries consistent with aggravated sexual assault.
To support its case, the prosecution called two witnesses, including the deceased’s grandfather and the investigating police officer. It also tendered several exhibits, including the postmortem report, the police investigation report and photographic evidence.
Although the wife of the first defendant was identified as an eyewitness, she reportedly declined to testify despite being officially served to appear before the court. The defendants denied all allegations while testifying in their defence.
However, after evaluating the testimonies, documentary evidence and legal submissions from both parties, Justice Ndigwe held that the prosecution had proven the offences of conspiracy, rape and murder beyond reasonable doubt. Delivering the judgment, the judge said the verdict represented justice for the victim and reaffirmed society’s commitment to holding perpetrators of violent crimes accountable.
He noted that the judgment reflected the dedication of law officers in the Anambra State Ministry of Justice to ensuring justice is served, regardless of how long the process takes. Consequently, the court found Elochukwu Belonwu and Chukwuebuka Ofokwu guilty on all three counts and sentenced both men to death by hanging in accordance with the law.
