By Sarah NEGEDU
A Federal Capital Territory High Court has sentenced one Ekang Philip Bassey to life imprisonment for causing the death of his friend, Emeka Nnonifu, during a birthday celebration at a hotel in Kubwa in January 2024.
The judgment was delivered by Justice M. S. Idris of High Court 25, who held that although the prosecution failed to establish the intention required for a murder conviction, the evidence proved that Bassey unlawfully caused the death of the deceased.
The FCT Police Command, which announced the conviction on Thursday, said the incident occurred on January 6, 2024, after a disagreement between the two friends degenerated into a physical confrontation, during Bassey’s birthday celebration.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement issued on Thursday said investigations showed that Bassey slapped and pushed Nnonifu during the altercation, causing him to fall and hit his head on a concrete surface.
“The evidence before the Court revealed that the defendant and the deceased were friends. The defendant had organised a birthday celebration which the deceased attended, and a disagreement between both men subsequently escalated into a physical confrontation, culminating in the fatal incident.
During the trial, the Prosecution led evidence establishing that the defendant assaulted the deceased by slapping and pushing him, causing him to fall and strike his head on a concrete surface. The deceased sustained fatal injuries and was subsequently confirmed dead.”
She said Bassey was initially charged with culpable homicide punishable with death under Sections 220(a) and (b) of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 221 after police concluded investigations into the case.
However, in its judgment in Suit No. FCT/HC/CR/330/2024, the court held that while Bassey’s unlawful act caused Nnonifu’s death, the prosecution did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that he had the intention or knowledge required for a conviction under Section 221 of the Penal Code.
Justice Idris consequently convicted the defendant of culpable homicide under Section 224 of the Penal Code and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The FCT Police Command said the conviction underscored its commitment to ensuring that offenders are brought to justice while upholding the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all persons.
