Anambra Court Sentences Two to Death for Rape, Murder of Mentally Impaired Teenager

• The High Court of Anambra State, sitting in the Ogidi Judicial Division, has sentenced two men to death by hanging for the conspiracy, rape, and murder of a 17-year-old girl, Jennifer Anene, who was living with a mental impairment.

Presiding Judge, Justice U.I. Ndigwe, delivered the verdict after ruling that the prosecution successfully proved the three-count charge against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Grim Discovery

According to the official charge sheet (Suit No. HID/23C/2021) obtained on Saturday, the tragic chain of events began on November 25, 2020, when Jennifer was reported missing by her grandfather, Elder Pius Anene.

Three days later, a horrifying breakthrough occurred when the wife of the first defendant, Elochukwu Belonwu, approached the victim’s family. She reported that she had personally witnessed her husband and others sexually assaulting Jennifer while the helpless teenager screamed for assistance.

When confronted by Elder Anene, Belonwu denied the allegations, shifting blame by claiming he had last seen the victim with the second defendant, Chukwuebuka Ofokwu. Shortly thereafter, a mutual associate identified only as “Akpuchukwu” brought an unconscious Jennifer back to her home before fleeing the scene. He remains at large.

Acting on police instructions, the family rushed the teenager to a nearby hospital, where she was confirmed dead on arrival. Subsequent autopsy results revealed severe bodily bruises, vaginal tears, and undeniable evidence of aggravated sexual assault.

The Trial and Verdict

During the trial, the prosecution—led by the Principal State Counsel of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Florence Abadom-Igweike—called two primary witnesses: the victim’s grandfather and the investigating police officer. The state also tendered critical forensic evidence, including the postmortem examination, the police investigation report, and photographic evidence. Notably, the first defendant’s wife refused to testify in court despite being formally served a subpoena.

In their defense, both Belonwu and Ofokwu took the stand, maintaining a stance of complete denial regarding the allegations.

However, Justice Ndigwe rejected their denials, affirming that the medical and circumstantial evidence overwhelmingly established their guilt.

“This judgment answers the cry for justice of a child whose blood demanded accountability, and of a society whose values were desecrated,” Justice Ndigwe stated during the ruling.

“This verdict stands as further proof of the commitment and diligence of law officers in the Anambra State Ministry of Justice to ensure that justice is served, no matter how long it takes.”

The court subsequently found both men guilty on all counts, ordering them to be executed by hanging.