Two men, Elochukwu Belonwu and Chukwuebuka Ofokwu, have been sentenced to death by hanging by the High Court of Anambra State, Ogidi Judicial Division, after they were found guilty of rape and the murder of a 17-year-old girl, Jennifer Anene.
In the charge sheet registered HID/23C/2021 and obtained by our correspondent on Saturday, the two defendants were tried and convicted on a three-count charge of conspiracy, rape and murder.
Justice U.I. Ndigwe, who delivered the judgment on Wednesday, held that the prosecution proved the three charges against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge convicted the duo after reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defence, describing the offences as acts that demanded accountability and desecrated societal values.
Leading the prosecution, the Principal State Counsel, Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Florence Abadom-Igweike, told the court that Jennifer, who was said to be mentally challenged, was reported missing by her grandfather, Pius Anene, on November 25, 2020.
