A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has imposed a life sentence on Ekang Bassey for the death of his friend, Emeka Nnonifu, which occurred due to a disagreement during a birthday party in the Kubwa region of Abuja.
The statement revealing the conviction was released on Thursday by SP Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command.
She stated that the ruling came after an extensive police inquiry into the event, which took place on January 6, 2024.
As stated, Bassey was originally charged with culpable homicide that carries the death penalty under Sections 220(a) and (b) and is punishable under Section 221 of the Penal Code.
Authorities indicated that court evidence revealed the defendant and the victim were friends, and that Nnonifu had arranged the birthday celebration which Bassey went to.
“The conflict between the two men eventually intensified into a physical altercation, leading to the deadly occurrence,” the statement stated.
The prosecution claims that Bassey attacked the victim by slapping and pushing him, leading to a fall where he struck his head on a concrete surface, causing lethal injuries.
