By Izunna Okafor, Awka
In a landmark ruling, the Anambra State High Court in Onitsha has handed down a death sentence by hanging to Ikechukwu Udensi (also known as Ikanda), a notorious revenue collection agent. The sentence comes as a result of Ikanda’s heinous act of murdering an Onitsha businessman, Ndubuisi Nwokolo, on June 29, 2018, just a day before the ban of commercial motorcycles in the city.
For the past five years, Ikanda had been facing trial for the brutal killing of Nwokolo. Prior to his arrest and prosecution, he was serving as a revenue collection agent for the Anambra state government.
The incident leading to the tragic demise of Nwokolo occurred on Otumoye Street, Odoakpu, Onitsha. Ikanda attempted to extort money from a commercial motorcyclist who was transporting Nwokolo. However, Nwokolo bravely intervened and tried to stop Ikanda. In response, the convict mercilessly stabbed Nwokolo to death.
Following the crime, Ikanda went into hiding, evading capture. It was only after the Anambra State Police Command, led by CP Mustapha Dandaura, declared him a wanted fugitive and placed a one-million-naira bounty on his head that he was eventually apprehended on March 31, 2019, and subsequently brought to trial.
The judgement delivered by Justice D. A. Onyefu at the High Court in Onitsha found Ikanda guilty, and the court sentenced him to be hanged until life leaves his body. He will remain in prison custody until the execution of the sentence.
This verdict has brought a sense of closure and relief to the grieving Nwokolo family, who had been seeking justice for the loss of their beloved son and family breadwinner. Mrs. Kate Nwokolo, the mother of the deceased, expressed her satisfaction with the court’s ruling.
The case was officially documented as Charge No 0/48c/2019, with the State represented by prosecuting counsel Tonia Nnabuife, Senior State Counsel, while Barrister C. J. Agbata stood as the defense counsel for Ikanda. The sentencing serves as a stern warning against such acts of violence and underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law in the state.
