The High Court of Anambra State, Awka Judicial Division, has sentenced Silas Uwa to life imprisonment for the killing of his uncle, Nweke Eziokwu, during a dispute over a parcel of land in Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area.

Justice Okechukwu Nwabunike convicted Uwa of manslaughter on Monday after finding that the prosecution established through credible circumstantial evidence that he was responsible for his uncle’s death.

The case was filed under Suit No. A/63C/2018.

Dispute Over Family Land

The court heard that Uwa and his deceased uncle had been involved in a dispute over ownership of a parcel of land in Ebenebe.

According to the prosecution, the family kindred had adjudged the land to belong to Eziokwu, but Uwa and his siblings rejected the decision.

The prosecution said that instead of seeking legal redress, Uwa confronted his uncle on the farm where he was working.

The confrontation allegedly escalated into a fight, during which Uwa hacked Eziokwu with a machete, causing his death.

Prosecution Calls Four Witnesses

The prosecution team, led by Chief State Counsel Ifeanyi Oguejiofor and assisted by Principal State Counsel Ijeoma Ugboaja, called four witnesses during the trial.

Among the witnesses was the investigating police officer who took part in the investigation of the case.

The prosecution relied on the evidence presented before the court to establish its case against Uwa.

Defendant Claims Self-Defence

In his defence, Uwa pleaded self-defence.

His lawyers argued that the prosecution had failed to prove the charge of murder beyond reasonable doubt, particularly because there was no eyewitness to the killing.

The defence maintained that the absence of direct eyewitness testimony weakened the prosecution’s case.

Court Relies on Circumstantial Evidence

Delivering judgment, Justice Nwabunike held that a murder case could be established through direct eyewitness evidence, a confessional statement or credible circumstantial evidence.

The judge acknowledged that there was no direct eyewitness account of the incident but ruled that the prosecution had presented credible circumstantial evidence linking Uwa to the death of his uncle.

Justice Nwabunike also rejected Uwa’s claim of self-defence.

However, rather than convicting him of murder, the court found Uwa guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Justice Ministry Warns Against Self-Help

Reacting to the judgment, Nonso Emeka, Secretary of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter, said the case highlights the importance of resolving land disputes through lawful civil processes.

He referenced a directive by the Anambra State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, that people involved in land disputes should seek civil remedies, including actions for declaration of title, rather than resorting to self-help or turning civil disputes into criminal matters.

The judgment brings the legal proceedings over the fatal land dispute to a close, with Uwa now facing a life sentence for manslaughter.