A man named Sodienyem Mbatumukeke killed Chukwuma Eleje, a 37 old delivery agent who works with Jumia in Port Harcourt about four years ago.
Eleje died when he went to deliver an ordered iPhone to Mbatumukeke’s house.
According to the investigation, his remains were later found in a septic tank in the house, and Mbatumukeke and one Excel Destiny were charged for the murder of the victim.
Justice Chigozie Igwe of the Rivers State high court sitting in Port Harcourt while Delivering his judgment on Monday, discharged and acquit Destiny but found Mbatumukeke guilty as charged.
The Judge sentenced Sodienyem Mbatumukeketo to death either by hanging or firing squad.
Justice Igwe described Mbatumukeke as a hardened criminal that deserves no mercy, adding that he was not remorseful.
Justice Igwe announced that “You are convicted for the murder of the Jumia delivery agent on March 25, 2017, and sentenced to die by hanging. You are to be tied hands and legs and hanged on your neck until you die, or by firing squad, and may your sin be on your head.”
Although the convict’s defense said they will appeal the judgment but Reacting to newsmen after the judgment, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Ibiene Ibano who prosecuted the trial on behalf of the state expressed satisfaction with the judgment, noting that it will serve as a deterrent to such killers.
Meanwhile, Destiny when asked how he got into the case said “I do a tattoo for a living, all the tattoos on the Sodienyem’s body were drawn by me. I came to his house that faithful day to do my normal home service work before I got myself into this mess.”
According to him, he was about to raise the alarm on seeing a pool of blood when Mbatumukeke rushed at him with a gun and told him to shut up.
“He then directed me to begin to clean up the mess with him, and I did amid fear and panting,” he added.
Meanwhile, the deceased wife, Blessing, who was in court with her three children, expressed gratitude to God, for the outcome of the case.
She said, “I am grateful to God, the state, the court for how the case has ended, although my husband is no more, the law has taken its course on the killer of my husband by this judgment today.”
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