By Sarah Ezeh
The Anambra State High Court sitting in the Ogidi Judicial Division has convicted and sentenced two men, Elochukwu Belonwu and Chukwuebuka Ofokwu, to death by hanging for the criminal conspiracy, rape, and murder of a mentally impaired teenager.
Presiding Judge, Justice Irene Ndigwe, ruled that the prosecution successfully proved the charges against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.
The victim, 17-year-old Jennifer Anene, was reported missing on November 25, 2020, by her grandfather, Elder Pius Anene.
Three days later, the wife of the first defendant (Belonwu) visited the Anene family home to report a harrowing scene: she had witnessed her husband and others sexually assaulting Jennifer while the teenager screamed for help.
When confronted by Elder Anene, Belonwu denied the allegations, claiming he last saw Jennifer with the second defendant (Ofokwu).
Shortly after the confrontation, a mutual acquaintance identified as Akpuchukwu brought an unconscious Jennifer back to her family home before fleeing the scene. He remains at large.
Acting on police instructions, the family rushed Jennifer to the hospital, where she was confirmed.
An autopsy later revealed severe bruises, vaginal tears, and clear signs of aggravated sexual assault.
Despite being served, the primary eyewitness, the first defendant’s wife, refused to testify in court.
However, the prosecution built its case on
circumstantial and forensic evidence.
Led by the state’s legal team, the prosecution called two witnesses: the victim’s grandfather and the investigating police officer.
Crucial evidence tendered included the postmortem report, police investigation files, and crime scene photographs.
In response, both defendants testified in their own defense, offering a case of total denial.
After a thorough review of the submissions, Justice Ndigwe dismissed the defense and found both men guilty on all counts.
Speaking after the verdict, Barrister Nonso Emeka, Secretary of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (Anambra State Chapter), lauded the judgment.
“This ruling answers the cry for justice of a child whose blood demanded accountability, and of a society whose values were desecrated,” Emeka said.
He added that the verdict stands as a testament to the commitment and diligence of the Law Officers in the Anambra State Ministry of Justice to ensure that justice is served, no matter how long it takes.
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