The High Court of Anambra State, Ogidi Judicial Division, presided over by Justice U.I Ndigwe, has convicted and sentenced two men, Elochukwu Belonwu and Chukwuebuka Ofokwu, to death by hanging for conspiracy, rape and the murder of a 17-year-old girl, Jennifer Anene.
In the charge sheet, Suit No. HID/23C/2021, obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, the two defendants were tried on a three-count charge, and the prosecution had proved the three counts against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the charge sheet, the case was decided on Wednesday, with the trial judge condemning the acts, describing them as a violation that demanded accountability and had desecrated societal values.
Leading the prosecution, the Principal State Counsel, Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Florence Abadom-Igweike, told the court that the deceased, Jenifer, said to be mentally impaired, was reported missing on November 25, 2020, by her grandfather, Elder Pius Anene.
Three days later, the wife of the first defendant came to the deceased’s home and reported seeing her husband and others sexually assaulting Jennifer as she screamed for help.
