Tricycle rider gets death sentence for murder in Anambra
A High Court in Anambra State has sentenced Makua Ezike, a commercial tricycle operator, to death by hanging for the murder of Jude Onwuegbuchunam. The court, presided over by Justice Lauretta Oyeka, found Ezike guilty after considering evidence presented by the prosecution. The incident involved a robbery attempt that resulted in the victim being fatally injured. The judgment highlighted the role of circumstantial evidence and Ezike’s confession in securing the conviction.
What happened
- Makua Ezike and two accomplices, posing as commercial tricycle operators, attempted to rob Jude Onwuegbuchunam along the Oba-Obosi-Nkpor-Umuoji Road on November 17, 2019.
- During the robbery, the victim was pushed out of the moving tricycle and later died from his injuries.
- Vigilante operatives chased the gang, leading to Ezike abandoning the tricycle and fleeing the scene.
- Ezike returned to the scene the next day and was arrested by vigilante operatives, later confessing to the crime.
- The court relied on circumstantial evidence, Ezike’s confession, and medical testimony to convict him and sentence him to death by hanging.
