Court sentences civil servant to life imprisonment for slapping friend to death in Abuja

An Abuja High Court on Thursday sentenced a 56-year-old civil servant, Philip Bassey, to life imprisonment for causing the death of his friend, Emeka Nonyelu.

The presiding judge, Justice Idris Mohammed, held that the court the civil servant guilty based on the evidence before the court and the statement of the defendant admitting to the crime.

The judge said: “The eyewitness’ account who was present is sufficient and legally acceptable and an accused could be guilty of murder not withstanding the period that the death occurred.

“Once the prosecution counsel proves cause of death, autopsy is not an absolute requirement to a conviction for murder. Autopsy is strictly necessary when cause of death is unknown.

”The prosecution counsel, Adama Musa, gave a clear picture of the tragic occurrence of the death of the victim; but the act of the defendant did not intend to kill, rather his actions caused Nonyelu’s death.”

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Justice Mohammed, therefore, convicted Bassey under section 224 of the Penal Code and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Section 224 states that whoever commits culpable homicide not punishable with death shall be punished with imprisonment for life or for any less term or with a fine or with both.

Earlier, Musa told the court that Bassey had an altercation with Nonyelu.

He said: “Bassey slapped Nonyelu on the face and pushed him, causing him to fall and hit his head on the concrete at Airlington Hotel in Kubwa on January 6, 2024.

“Bassey’s actions left Nonyelu unconscious and caused his death days later.”

He added that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 220 (a), (b) of the Penal Code and punishable under 221.