Court sentences tricycle operator to death over “one-chance” robbery killing in Anambra

A High Court sitting in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State has sentenced a commercial tricycle operator, Makuachukwu Ezike, to death by hanging for the murder of a passenger during a “one-chance” robbery operation.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Lauretta Oyeka, who found Ezike guilty of the murder of Jude Onwuegbuchunam, an indigene of Umuoji in the state.

The court held that the prosecution successfully proved its case through strong circumstantial evidence, including the abandoned tricycle and the convict’s attempt to flee from the scene, which the judge described as clear indicators of guilt.

Justice Oyeka also relied on Ezike’s voluntary confession and medical findings linking the victim’s death to injuries sustained after he was pushed from a moving tricycle.

According to the prosecution, led by Mrs L.N. Umeozulu, the incident occurred on November 17, 2019, when Ezike and two accomplices, who are still at large, operated a “one-chance” robbery syndicate along the Oba–Obosi–Nkpor–Umuoji road.

The gang allegedly disguised themselves as commercial transport operators, picked up the victim and attempted to rob him of his valuables during transit.

When the victim resisted and raised an alarm, the assailants reportedly pushed him out of the moving tricycle at high speed near Abidi Hall, Umuoji.

He later died two days after sustaining severe injuries.

The court further heard that Ezike returned to the area the following day to recover the abandoned tricycle but was arrested by vigilante operatives and handed over to the police.

Five witnesses, including a medical doctor who conducted a post-mortem examination, testified that the victim died as a result of injuries from the fall.

Despite the defence’s argument that there was no eyewitness account, the court ruled that the combination of circumstantial evidence and confessional statements was sufficient to secure a conviction, and subsequently sentenced Ezike to death by hanging.