A Federal Capital Territory High Court has sentenced Ekang Philip Bassey to life imprisonment for causing the death of his friend, Emeka Nnonifu, following a disagreement at a birthday celebration in the Kubwa area of the FCT.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh.
Adeh said the conviction followed a thorough investigation by the Command into the incident, which occurred on January 6,2024.
The statement said Bassey was initially charged with culpable homicide punishable with death, contrary to Section 220(a) and (b) of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 221 of the same law.
According to the police, evidence before the court showed that the defendant and the deceased were friends, and that the deceased had organised the birthday celebration which the defendant attended.
“The prosecution led evidence establishing that the defendant assaulted the deceased by slapping and pushing him, causing him to fall and hit his head on a concrete surface.
“The deceased sustained fatal injuries and was subsequently confirmed dead,” Adeh said.
Delivering judgment in Suit No. FCT/HC/CR/330/2024, the court held that although Bassey’s unlawful act resulted in the death of the deceased, the prosecution failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt the intention or knowledge required for a conviction under Section 221 of the Penal Code.
The court, however, ruled that the evidence presented established that the defendant unlawfully caused the death of Nnonifu and convicted him of culpable homicide under Section 224 of the Penal Code.
Bassey was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
The FCT Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that offenders are brought to justice while upholding the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all persons.