A High Court sitting in Jabi, FCT Abuja, Nigeria, on Wednesday, sentenced a 38-year-old man, Eric Chigbor, to death by hanging for killing his wife.
Justice Charles Agbaza, who found Chigbor guilty of killing his wife, Jessica, said the prosecution was able to prove with cogent evidence that the convict intentionally killed the deceased.
The judge rejected the defendant’s plea of not guilty, noting that, based on the evidence before him, such plea was not plausible and that the prosecution was able to establish all the ingredients of culpable homicide as provided for in section 220 of the penal code.
He said the offence contravened sections 220 of the penal code and is punishable under section 221.
Agbaza in his judgment held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
He said, “In the circumstances, the court finds the defendant guilty of the charge of causing the death of Jessica, his wife, on February 3, 2015 and he is accordingly convicted.
”Before the court pronounces sentence on the defendant, and noting the plea of the defence counsel and the response of the prosecution counsel, the judge said the plea of allocutus has no place here, in view of the mandatory nature of the sentence provided under the law, which the defendant is charge, having been found guilty.
“In the light of the above, the defendant has been convicted and he is hereby sentenced to death.
“This will serve as a deterrent to others because of the rising wave of either wife or husband beating resulting to death in our society.
“The court does not have discretion to impose any other punishment, much as it may, the law must be fulfilled at all times and in all situations.
“The sentence of the court upon the defendant is that he be hanged by the neck until he be dead and may the Lord have mercy on his soul,” the judge said.