The Ebonyi High Court on Friday sentenced four men to death by hanging for the murder of a 26-year-old businessman, Chinonso Elon.

The Ebonyi government charged Anthony Elom, Chibueze Onwe, Chukwuemeka Ugadu and Uchenna Odono with conspiracy and murder.

Delivering judgment, Justice Esther Otah held that the evidence provided by the prosecution counsel proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused were responsible for the crime.

Ms Otah added that a forensic check on the gun recovered from the defendants also indicated that it was used last on February 5, 2023.

“May God save your souls,” the judge held.

The prosecution said that on February 6, 2023, the four convicted persons, including ThankGod Onwe, who is at large, drove a branded Sienna bus, stopped in front of Mr Elon’s business area, near Okwo Ngbo Main Market.

They demanded that the victim provide information on the whereabouts of his younger brother, whom they reportedly had a misunderstanding with.

”His inability to provide such information about his brother as demanded made them drag him into the Sienna bus. Upon his refusal to enter the Sienna, he was shot in the head with a shotgun, and he died instantly,” the prosecution said.

After the judgment, counsel to the convicts, Chinedu Uwa, said he would appeal the verdict.

 The prosecutor, Oluchi Ibiam of the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice, expressed satisfaction with the judgment.

According to her, the verdict was a true reflection of justice.

(NAN)