(High Court. Photo Credit: DAILY POST)
On Monday, July 20, 2026, the Anambra High Court in Ogidi Judicial Division sentenced Elochukwu Belonwu and Chukwuebuka Ofokwu to death by hanging for conspiracy, rape, and the murder of Jennifer Anene, a 17-year-old girl.
In Suit No. HID/23C/2021, the presiding judge, U. I. Ndigwe, ruled on Friday that the prosecution had proven the defendants’ three-count allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
The judge denounced the offenders’ actions, stating that they violated social norms and called for accountability.
Principal State Counsel Florence Abadom-Igweike, who led the prosecution, informed the court that the deceased, who was allegedly mentally ill, had been reported missing on November 25, 2020, by her grandfather, Pius Anene.
Three days later, she claimed, the first defendant’s wife informed the family that she had seen her husband and others sexually abusing the deceased while she cried out for assistance.
She claims that when approached, the first defendant rejected the accusation and stated that he had last seen the deceased with the second defendant.
She claimed that a common acquaintance of the defendants, known only as Akpuchukwu, later carried the dead home unconscious before running away; he is still at large.
The victim was taken to the hospital on police orders, according to the prosecution’s attorney, but upon arrival, it was determined that the victim was d3ad.
A postmortem examination, she said, showed symptoms of aggravated sexual abuse, including vaginal rips and bruising.
The postmortem report, police investigation report, and photographic evidence were also presented in court, according to her, and two witnesses the victim’s grandfather and the investigating police officer testified on behalf of the prosecution.
Additionally, the prosecution informed the court that despite receiving a court summons, the eyewitness the wife of the first defendant refused to testify.
The defendants, who testified in their own defence, denied the allegations.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ndigwe held that the evidence before the court established the guilt of both defendants on all counts and sentenced them to d3ath by hanging.
