Anambra tricyclist bags death sentence for killing passenger
A High Court sitting in Anambra State has sentenced a commercial tricycle operator, Makuachukwu Ezike, to death by hanging for the murder of a passenger during a “one chance” robbery operation.
Justice Lauretta Oyeka delivered the judgment after finding Ezike guilty of the murder of the deceased, Chigoke Onwegbuchunam, who died after being pushed from a moving tricycle.
According to the prosecution the incident occurred on November 17, 2019, along the Oba–Obosi–Nkpor–Umuoji Road, adding that Ezike, alongside two accomplices who remain at large, allegedly operated a “one chance” syndicate that posed as commercial transport operators to lure unsuspecting passengers.
The court heard that Onwuegbuchunam boarded the tricycle, however, the alleged offenders during the journey, attempted to dispossess him of his mobile phone and other valuables.
It added that when the victim resisted the and raised an alarm, the attackers reportedly pushed him out of the moving tricycle at high speed near Abidi Hall in Umuoji, an area where local vigilante operatives were stationed.
The victim sustained severe injuries from the fall and was rushed for medical treatment, but despite efforts to save his life, he succumbed to the injuries two days later.
The prosecution further told the court that Ezike returned to the scene the following day in an attempt to retrieve the tricycle that had been abandoned after the incident.
His presence reportedly aroused suspicion, leading to his arrest by local vigilante operatives, who subsequently handed him over to the police for investigation and prosecution.
During the trial, the prosecution presented five witnesses to establish its case. Among them was the medical doctor who conducted the post-mortem examination on the deceased.
The doctor testified that the victim’s death was directly linked to the injuries he sustained after being pushed from the moving tricycle.
The defence challenged the prosecution’s case, arguing that there was no eyewitness who directly saw Ezike push the deceased from the vehicle and therefore urged the court to dismiss the charge.
However, Justice Oyeka rejected the argument, noting that under Nigerian law, a conviction for murder can be secured through direct evidence, confessional statements, or compelling circumstantial evidence.
In her judgment, the judge held that the chain of circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution was strong, coherent and pointed irresistibly to the guilt of the accused.
She cited the abandoned tricycle, Ezike’s conduct after the incident, and his attempt to return to recover the vehicle as significant factors linking him to the crime.
The court also relied on what it described as the convict’s voluntary confessional statement, as well as medical evidence establishing a direct connection between the victim’s fatal injuries and the act of being pushed from the moving tricycle.
Justice Oyeka concluded that the prosecution had proved the charge of murder beyond reasonable doubt and accordingly found Ezike guilty.
Consequently, the court sentenced him to death by hanging, while efforts to apprehend his two alleged accomplices, who remain at large, are expected to continue.