Man Sentenced to Life for Friend's Death in Abuja

Ekang Bassei was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Federal Capital Territory High Court for the culpable homicide of his friend Emeka Nnonifu. The incident occurred on January 6, 2024, during a disagreement at a birthday celebration in the Kubwa area of Abuja.

The FCT Police Command, through spokesperson Josephine Adeh, disclosed that thorough investigations led to Bassei's conviction. The court found that Bassei had assaulted Nnonifu, resulting in fatal injuries after pushing him, causing him to fall and strike his head on a concrete surface.

Although the court noted that the requisite intent to sustain a conviction under section 221 of the Penal Code was not established beyond a reasonable doubt, it held that the evidence presented by the prosecution proved Bassei unlawfully caused Nnonifu's death. Consequently, he was convicted under section 224 of the Penal Code and sentenced to life imprisonment.