NIGERIA. THREE POLICEMEN SENTENCED TO DEATH

an Orlu High Court in Nigeria presided over by Justice Benjamin Ahanonu Njemanze, sentenced to death three out of the six policemen for deliberately shooting a man to death while on duty. Those found guilty and subsequently sentenced to death were Sergeant Lazarus Adiele, Corporal Desmond Ononuju and Corporal Bonny Aikhedughi, whilst Inspector David Poli, Inspector Victor Chiaka and Constable Augustine Ochiga were acquitted of the charges against them.
"I find as a fact that Christian Owereoma is dead. He died as a result of gunshot wounds. The deceased, Christian Owereoma, and Boniface Ozurumba are not armed robbers. There was no justifiable reasons for firing at their vehicle", Njemanze said.
Giving a summary of the evidence before him, the High Court Judge recalled that Christian and Boniface were shot at August 15, 2002, in bizarre circumstances. He added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Mgbidi refused to release on bail Boniface Ozurumba, who had bullets lodged in his right thigh, because he was branded an armed robber. Following an investigation it was revealed that neither the deceased not his co passenger were in breach of any laws, contrary to statements given by the defendants.