Murder: Father sentenced to death by hanging

Murder: Father sentenced to death by hanging

FRANCIS IWUCHUKWU

A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, presided over by Justice
Ebenezer Adebanjo has sentenced to death by hanging, one Austine Ugbogbo; father of four children over the murder of his wife.

The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) had dragged the convict before the judge over the killing of Ann Ugbogbo. The deceased was said to have been murdered by her husband on January 26, 2012 at their residence after they had misunderstanding.

The condemned Ugbogbo according to the DPP threw a burning stove on his wife which eventually caused her death. In his judgment on a one-count charge preferred against the convict who had earlier pleaded not guilty, Justice Adebanjo declared that three issues to be determine by the court was whether Mrs Ugbogbo is dead, the cause of her death and whether her husband had hand in her death.

The judge further held that the prosecution have been able to prove without doubt that Mrs Ugbogbo was dead, the cause of her death was also established, and that her husband was the cause of her death. Justice Adebanjo held that the testimony of the convict on what led to the death of the deceased was an after thought.

According to the judge, "The evidences given by the defence were weak, superficial and not enough to prove the innocence of Ugbogbo over the death of his wife. The action that led to the death of the deceased was as a result of anger, it is unfortunate that the convict was not able to control his emotion.

"He was overwhelmed with anger which led to the action he took, by throwing a burning stove on his wife. The statement of his wife before her death even confirmed the role he played in her death. I hereby pronounce you guilty as charged and you will be in the custody till when you are going to be hanged till death."