Enugu Court Sentences Lady to Death by Hanging for Murder
In a solemn verdict, the Enugu State High Court, located in the state capital, delivered a decisive judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Chiamaka Ifezue to death by hanging for the murder of Ijeoma Nweke, a talented make-up artist. The tragic incident unfolded on 11th November 2020, when the deceased left her home for a job but never returned, her body discovered days later on 16th November 2020, abandoned in a refuse dump.
Presided over by Judge Kenneth Okpe, the court rendered a two-hour verdict, declaring the accused guilty of forcibly administering a poisonous substance to the victim, ultimately resulting in her untimely demise. Judge Okpe referenced Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code Law of Enugu State Cap. 30 Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004, prescribing the death penalty as the appropriate punishment for such a heinous crime.
Despite her seemingly gentle demeanor, the judge remarked that Ms. Ifezue exhibited a heart of steel throughout the proceedings, displaying an unwavering sense of fulfillment regarding her actions and a belief that her freedom was merely a matter of time. The absence of remorse from the onset of the trial until the pronouncement of judgment underscored the gravity of her actions.
In delivering the final verdict, Judge Okpe solemnly pronounced, “I hereby sentence the defendant, Ifezue Chiamaka, to death by hanging until she is dead. May God have mercy on her.”
The courtroom fell into a hushed silence as the weight of the sentence settled upon the accused and those in attendance, serving as a stark reminder of the irreversible consequences of such grievous offenses. The verdict stands as a testament to the commitment of the judicial system in upholding justice and ensuring accountability for acts of violence within society.
Credit: Premium times