The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has sentenced Ekang Philip Bassey to life imprisonment for causing the death of his friend, Emeka Nnonifu, during a birthday celebration in Kubwa, Abuja.
Bassey was convicted for culpable homicide after the court found that he unlawfully caused Nnonifu’s death during a confrontation that turned violent.
The incident occurred on January 6, 2024, when an argument between the two friends escalated into a physical altercation.
According to evidence presented before the court, Bassey slapped and pushed Nnonifu, causing him to fall and strike his head on a concrete surface. He sustained fatal injuries and was later confirmed dead.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice M.S. Idris held that although the prosecution failed to establish the element of intent required to secure a murder conviction under Section 221 of the Penal Code, it successfully proved the offence of culpable homicide punishable under Section 224.
The court, however, found that the prosecution had proved the offence of culpable homicide under Section 224 of the Penal Code and accordingly convicted Bassey, sentencing him to life imprisonment.
Confirming the outcome of the case on Thursday, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said the conviction followed a thorough investigation and diligent prosecution by the command.
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 citizens.