A High Court sitting in Ezzamgbo Ohaukwu Judicial Division in Ebonyi State has sentenced a 30-year-old man to 23 years imprisonment for attempted murder, robbery and housebreaking.
The presiding judge, Justice Esther Awo-Ota found Chinedu Igwe, a native of Ezza Umuhuali in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state guilty of attempted murder of one Egbelegu Chukwudi, stealing from Community Secondary School Ezza Umuhuali, housebreaking and entry and robbing one Ezeh Ejike.
The charge reads, “That you Chinedu Igwe on 2nd November, 2022 at Ezza Umuhuali Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State in Ohaukwu Judicial Division did steal 82 pieces of Iron desk, iron doors, windows, solar panel and sumo; all valued at Five Million Naira (N5, 000,000.00) only, property of Community Secondary School Ezza Umuhuali and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 33 Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.
“That Chinedu Igwe on the 3rd day of November 2022 at Onunwankwo market Ezza Umuhuali Ishielu LGA in Ohaukwu Judicial Division did attempt to kill one Egbelegu Chukwudi by hitting him with stick and other dangerous weapons, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 320 of the Criminal Code Cap 33 Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.
“Chinedu Igwe on 2nd November 2022 at Ezza Umuhuali in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State in Ohaukwu Judicial Division did break into school house of Ezza Umuhuali Community Secondary School with intent to commit felony and after the felony did breakout of the said school. He therefore committed Housebreaking and Entry punishable under Section 413(a) and (b) of the Criminal Code Cap 33 Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.
“Chinedu Igwe on 24th day of November 2022 at Onunwankwo market in Ezza Umuhuali Ishielu LGA in Ohaukwu Judicial Division did arm yourself with offensive weapons, broken bottle and log of wood and robbed one Ezeh Ejike of his Itel A5 Android phone valued N64, 000.00 and Tecno Povo Android phone valued N74, 000.00. The Robbery allegation is punishable under Section 402 of the criminal Code Cap 33 Volume 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria 2009.”
Delivering judgement on the said suit marked HKW/33c/2023, Justice Awo-Ota convicted Chinedu Igwe to ten years imprisonment for attempted murder of one Egbelegu Chukwudi, five years imprisonment for house breaking and entry, three years imprisonment for stealing from Community Secondary School Ezza Umuhuali and five years imprisonment for robbing one Ezeh Ejike of his valuables.
The judge also ordered that the total 23 year jail terms should run concurrently.
