A retired worker of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Godwin Elewana, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of one Douglas Ojugbo.
The deceased was killed by Elewana on March 10, 2015 for dating his daughter Mercy.
A Cross River State High Court sitting in Calabar and presided over by Justice Ukpa Ebitam found Elewana guilty after it was decided that the prosecution had proved its case beyond all reasonable doubt.
According to the Judge; “The prosecution team was able to establish ingredients of murder against the accused. On whether it was the act of the accused that caused the death of the victim, the prosecution team placed reliance mostly on the confessional statement of the accused…clearly, the statement linked the murder to the accused.
“The prosecution team also proved the second ingredient of murder which was the intentional act. To have fired the victim twice with his pump-action gun, I agree that the killing was intentional. I hereby find the accused person guilty of murder.
“Subject to Section 319 of the Criminal Code of Cross River State, any person who commits murder is sentenced to death by hanging.”
The prosecuting lawyer Eneji Amajama in reaction to the verdict said; “I thank God that we have industrious and sound judges who still uphold the rule of law. Today, the parents of the deceased would have some respite that the law of the land took its course.
“This judgement will serve as a deterrent to others that you cannot do what is wrong and go away with it and I think that our society will be better for it.
“The accused was tried under Section 319 of the Criminal Code of Cross River State. Under this section, the judge does not have the right to give him life imprisonment or any other jail term. The judge has just done what the law stipulates.”
Meanwhile, the victim’s mother stated that those who lived by the sword would die by the sword and that she was happy that Justice had been served.
“I thank God for doing what should be done. It is stated in the Bible that anyone who kills by the sword, will die by the sword. Elewana had no reason whatsoever to kill my son in such a manner and conceal the act by burying him. It was Almighty God that gave approval for this judgement.” She said