Silas Uwa Sentenced to Life for Uncle's Murder in Anambra

Silas Uwa was sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court of Anambra State, Awka Judicial Division, on a charge of manslaughter for killing his uncle during a family land dispute in Ebenebe, Awka North LGA. Justice Okechukwu Nwabunike presided over the case, which was filed under Suit No.

A/63C/2018. The prosecution, led by Chief State Counsel Mr Ifeanyi Oguejiofor and Principal State Counsel Mrs Ijeoma Ugboaja, presented four witnesses, including the Investigating Police Officer.

They established that Uwa confronted his uncle on his farm, engaged him in a fight, and killed him with a machete. Uwa's defense claimed self-defense and argued that the prosecution did not prove murder beyond reasonable doubt due to the lack of eyewitness testimony.

Justice Nwabunike ruled that credible circumstantial evidence proved Uwa's guilt, rejecting the self-defense plea. The case highlighted the directive from Anambra Attorney-General Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, urging disputants to seek civil remedies for land issues.