- Safiu Kehinde
An Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Abakiliki has sentenced a 60-year-old man, Alo James, to death by hanging over fatal assault at a beer parlour which led to the death of one Edwin Omar.
Justice Esther Ota, in a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. HKW/55C/2025 convicted James of causing the death of Omah during an altercation at the drinking joint located in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.
The prosecuting counsel, Mrs Lilian Anya narrated how the convict assaulted Omah with fist blows on September 6, 2025, at New Jerusalem, also known as Azuegu village, Umuhuali community in Ishielu.
Anya, a Senior State Counsel in Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice said the victim later died in hospital from injuries sustained during the assault.
Testifying in the court, the deceased’s son, Mr Nnabuike Samuel, said his father was attacked at about 11 p.m. on the said day, following an altercation with James at the village square.
Mr Marcel Akamabe, the Defence Counsel and State Coordinator, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, said his client would appeal the judgment.
“This is a charge that carries the maximum sentence of death.
“I feel bad because my expectations were quite high, considering the way the matter went and the manner in which we defended it.
“Definitely, we will apply for the Certified True Copy of the judgment, study it and then seek redress at the appellate court,” Akamabe said.