BY SUNNY A. DAVID
In a landmark judgment, three former Police officers have been held accountable for their actions after a fatal arrest gone wrong.
Juliet Ekwueme, Ugochukwu Obiakor, and Raphael Chike have been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Chukwunonso Uchenwoke, a 42-year-old family man from Mbosi in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The officers’ excessive use of force during an arrest over alleged assault and malicious damage resulted in the tragic loss of life, and their conviction serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the law and protecting the rights of citizens.
Uchenwoke was reportedly killed on 14th May 2016 at No 13 Ibe Street, East Niger Layout, Okpoko, Ogbaru Council Area, in the Onitsha Judicial Division, after which the accused were dismissed from the Nigerian Police Force.
Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha and presided over by Honourable Justice A.O. Okuma held that the Prosecution Counsel proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, and found the accused guilty of conspiracy and murder charges preferred against them, which are contrary to Sections 495(a) and 274(I) of the Criminal Code Cap 36 Volume II, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991 as amended.
The three were all convicted and sentenced to 7 years imprisonment for conspiracy, and life imprisonment for manslaughter.
Trulaw Chambers, through her Principal Counsel, C.J. Okeke Esq., prosecuted the case with the Fiat of the Anambra State Attorney General.
Reacting to the judgement, the Prosecutor, Okeke, described it as yet another victory for Trulaw Chambers, and a succinct reminder that justice is still tenable with the right legal representatives.
While Counsel to the first defendant, G.A Oluwatuase, said he will appeal the judgement for his client, Counsel to the second defendant, C.E Ezenwa Esqr., and that of the third defendant, C.J Agbata, said they need a copy of the judgement to determine next line of action.
