The High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced Sodienye Mbatumukeke to death by hanging for killing a Jumia delivery agent, Chukwuma Eleji.

The verdict comes four years after late Mr. Eleji was killed in Port Harcourt.

Peoples Gazette gathered that Mr. Mbatumukeke in 2017 ordered a smartphone worth over N200,000 among other goods from e-commerce website, Jumia. He, however, attacked and killed Mr. Eleji who came to deliver the order and dumped his remains into a septic pit in his residence.

Mr. Mbatumukeke was arrested alongside his friend, Divine Excel Naabe, and his lover, Miss Joy Eluwa.  

Both Ms. Eluwa and Mr. Naabe were discharged and acquitted of murder and armed robbery on the grounds that the prosecution team did not present convincing evidence against them.

Trial judge, I. P. Chigoezi Igwe found Mr. Mbatumukeke guilty of two counts of murder and armed robbery, saying the prosecution team proved their case beyond doubts that he committed the crime.

Justice Igwe stressed that the judgement will serve as a deterrent to others, describing the murder as unlawful and gruesome.

Lawyer to the convict, Bonaventure Ugwe registered his displeasure with the judgment. He said his client would appeal the decision of the court.