An FCT High Court has handed Ekang Philip Bassey a life jail term over the death of his friend, Emeka Nnonifu, following a fight at a birthday gathering in Kubwa, Abuja.
Justice M. S. Idris of FCT High Court 25 delivered the ruling in Suit No. FCT/HC/CR/330/2024. The case was prosecuted by the FCT Police Command.
Court records and police findings show the incident happened on January 6, 2024, at a hotel in Kubwa where Nnonifu was hosting his birthday party. Bassey was among the guests.
According to investigators, a disagreement between the two turned physical. Bassey allegedly slapped and shoved Nnonifu, who fell and struck his head on concrete. The impact left him with serious head injuries and he was later confirmed dead.
The defendant was first arraigned for culpable homicide punishable with death under Sections 220(a) and (b), and liable under Section 221 of the Penal Code.
In its decision, the court ruled that prosecutors proved Bassey unlawfully caused Nnonifuโs death, but did not establish the intent or knowledge needed for a conviction under Section 221.
Justice Idris therefore found Bassey guilty of culpable homicide not punishable with death under Section 224 of the Penal Code and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Reacting after the judgment, the FCT Police Command said it remains committed to securing justice for victims. The Command added that it will keep investigating and prosecuting crimes thoroughly while respecting the rule of law and constitutional rights.
