Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Delta State High Court sitting in the Kwale Judicial Division has sentenced a son and his accomplice to death by hanging following their conviction for the brutal killing of the man’s elderly mother. The judgment concludes a high-profile case that has drawn widespread attention and sparked discussions on family violence and superstition-driven crimes.
The court found 44-year-old Lucky Edozien and his 33-year-old accomplice, Amaechi Enuebuka, guilty of murdering 70-year-old Mrs. Janeth Odinuwe at her home in Umudike Quarters, Ossissa, Ndokwa West Local Government Area. Justice D.C. Maidoh delivered the ruling after hearing exhaustive evidence presented by the prosecution, determining that both men acted in concert to carry out the murder.
According to the prosecution, Edozien became convinced that a ring worn by his mother was the cause of his misfortunes and persuaded Enuebuka, a commercial motorcyclist and part-time disc jockey, to assist him. Enuebuka allegedly helped by distracting Mrs. Odinuwe’s daughter outside the house while Edozien strangled his mother to death inside her room. The prosecution described the act as premeditated, motivated by superstition, and carried out with clear intent.
Despite the absence of direct eyewitness testimony and the refusal of the deceased’s daughter to testify, the prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence under the Doctrine of Last Seen, which allowed the court to infer guilt based on Edozien’s and Enuebuka’s presence and actions surrounding the crime. Police testimony and investigative reports were used to corroborate the narrative presented.
Under Section 319 of the Delta State Criminal Code Law, intentional murder is punishable by death. The court held that the severity, premeditation, and calculated nature of the act justified capital punishment for both defendants. Justice Maidoh emphasized that personal beliefs or superstition cannot excuse deliberate acts of violence and that the law must uphold the sanctity of life.
The case has attracted public attention because of the familial relationship between the victim and the perpetrator and because it highlights how misguided beliefs can escalate into fatal violence. Community members have expressed shock and grief, particularly given the targeting of an elderly family member. Experts have noted that cultural superstitions sometimes contribute to family disputes and violence, stressing the importance of education and community awareness to prevent similar incidents.
The ruling also underscores the broader issues of domestic violence, family conflicts, and the influence of superstition in Nigeria. Advocates emphasize that societal and educational interventions are needed to prevent vulnerable individuals from becoming targets of belief-driven crimes.
Although the court’s sentence is final at the trial level, Edozien and Enuebuka have the right to appeal. Capital sentences in Nigeria are automatically subject to review, and the governor of Delta State holds constitutional authority to grant clemency or commute death sentences, though such actions are uncommon.
Human rights and legal reform groups have consistently urged that death penalty cases in Nigeria undergo rigorous review to ensure due process and proportionality. While the law permits the death penalty for murder, executions have been rare in recent years, with many convicts remaining on death row during appeals and clemency reviews.
The sentencing marks the end of a case that began more than three years ago with the shocking murder of a mother at the hands of her own son and a hired accomplice. As the legal process moves forward through appeals and potential executive review, the case is expected to remain a focal point for discussions on crime, culture, justice, and protection of vulnerable family members.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments