Man gets life imprisonment for stabbing in Anambra

A high court in Ogidi, Anambra State, has sentenced Chibuike Joseph to life imprisonment for stabbing a man in 2017. He was, however, found not guilty of murder.

Justice Olisaemeka Okuma gave the judgement on Wednesday. This came after a trial on two charges: murder and grievous harm.

These charges are under Sections 274(1) and 288(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 36, Vol. II, Laws of Anambra State, 1991.

The prosecution told the court that on June 7, 2017, at Limca Road, Nkpor, Joseph used a broken bottle to stab the victim in the neck, shoulder, and chest. This happened during an argument over N500.

The victim was first taken to Model Hospital, Nkpor. Later, he was moved to New Mayor Hospital and Fertility Centre, Ogidi, where he died on June 14, 2017.

Initially, the case was with Justice Pete Obiora. It was moved to Justice Okuma after Justice Obiora was promoted to the Court of Appeal.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by Millicent Ikeabunze, brought in two witnesses.

The brother of the deceased said the victim named Joseph as the person who attacked him. He did this both on a phone call and while in the hospital.

The Investigating Police Officer presented Joseph's confession. In it, Joseph admitted to threatening the deceased after a previous argument and stabbing him during a fight.

Joseph accepted that a fight happened but claimed he was provoked and denied causing the man's death.

In his ruling, Justice Okuma said the prosecution did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Joseph's actions led to the victim's death.

The judge noted that there was not enough medical evidence connecting the stab wounds to the death. This created a gap in the link between the stabbing and the death.

So, the court discharged and acquitted Joseph of the murder charge.

But the judge stated that the prosecution proved the charge of grievous harm beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court mainly relied on Joseph's confession, which he made without any objection. In it, he admitted to starting the fight and stabbing the victim with a broken bottle.

Justice Okuma then convicted Chibuike Joseph for grievous harm under Section 288(a) of the Criminal Code. He sentenced him to life imprisonment.