Birthday celebration ends in tragedy as FCT Court sentences man to life imprisonment for friend’s death

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has sentenced Ekang Philip Bassey to life imprisonment for causing the death of his friend, Emeka Nnonifu, following a violent altercation during a birthday celebration in Kubwa, Abuja.

The conviction was secured by the FCT Police Command before FCT High Court 25, presided over by Justice M. S. Idris.

According to the police, the incident occurred on January 6, 2024, at a hotel in the Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory.

Bassey was initially charged with culpable homicide punishable by death under Sections 220(a) and (b) of the Penal Code Law and punishable under Section 221, following the conclusion of police investigations.

Evidence presented before the court showed that the defendant and the deceased were friends, and that the deceased had attended the defendant’s birthday celebration before a disagreement between them escalated into a physical confrontation.

During the trial, the prosecution established that Bassey slapped and pushed Emeka, causing him to fall and hit his head on a concrete surface. The victim sustained fatal injuries and was later confirmed dead.

In its judgment in Suit No. FCT/HC/CR/330/2024, the court held that although Bassey’s unlawful actions caused the victim’s death, the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he possessed the intention or knowledge required to sustain a conviction for culpable homicide punishable by death under Section 221 of the Penal Code.

However, the court found him guilty of culpable homicide under Section 224 of the Penal Code and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The FCT Police Command said the judgment reflects its commitment to ensuring offenders are brought to justice while upholding the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all persons.