Customer Support

ONONUJU
V.
STATE

(2013) JELR 35739 (SC)

Supreme Court 21 Jun 2013 Nigeria
BriefBot icon

BriefBot Summary

Free

- Supreme Court allowed the appeal, set aside the conviction and death sentence for murder, and ordered the appellant’s discharge and acquittal, holding that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. - Key principle:

Case Details

Suit Number:SC.298/2011
Judges:IBRAHIM TANKO MUHAMMAD Justice of The Supreme Court of Nigeria CHRISTOPHER MITCHELL CHUKWUMA-ENEH Justice of The Supreme Court of Nigeria SULEIMAN GALADIMA Justice of The Supreme Court of Nigeria CLARA BATA OGUNBIYI Justice of The Supreme Court of Nigeria STANLEY SHENKO ALAGOA Justice of The Supreme Court of Nigeria
Counsel:J. C. Okafor, Esq with Uche V. Obi Esq., Soji Toki Esq., A. E. Wilfred, Esq.,and A. M. Sanusi Esq. For Appellant S. A. Njoku Esq., Hon. Attorney-General, Imo State with C. C. Dimkpa (Mrs.), Administrator-General, Imo State and K. A. Leweanya (Miss.) Principal State Councel. For Respondent

STANLEY SHENKO ALAGOA, JSC (DELIVERING THE LEADING JUDGMENT): This is an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal Owerri Division (hereinafter referred to as the lower court or the court below) delivered on the 24th March, 2011 confirming the conviction for murder and sentence to death by hanging passed on the Appellant. The Appellant as 3rd accused was charged along with others as follows:-

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE

Murder, Contrary to Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap. 30 Vol. II - Laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963 as applicable to Imo State.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE

Inspector David Poli, Sgt. Lazarus Adiele, Cpl. Desmond Ononuju, Inspector Victor Chiaka, PC Augustine Ochiaga, Inspector Sunday Uwadiegwu and Bonny Aikhadueki on the 15th day of August, 2002 along Orlu Road Junction by Mgbidi in Orlu Judicial Division murdered Christian Owerreoma. Each pleaded not guilty and the case proceeded to be heard with the prosecution calling five witnesses while the accused persons testifi…

There's more. Sign in to continue reading.

judy.legal is the comprehensive database of case law and legislation from Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. Gain seamless access to over 77,000 cases, recent judgments, statutes, and rules of court.