17-Year-Old Boy To Die By Hanging In Calabar For Shooting His Step-Brother

Justice Tambe Ebuta of the Calabar High Court on Friday, sentenced a 17-year-old boy to death by hanging.

Justice Ebuta found the accused, Solomon Ezukwa, guilty of shooting his step- brother, Joseph Banyio, to death using a locally made single-barrel gun.

The incident took place in Aliki village in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.

According to Mr Christian Ugwouke, the prosecuting police officer, who investigated the matter, the accused intentionally killed his brother.

Ugwuouke told the court that the two brothers were playing a game when an argument ensued between them. The investigating officer also tendered a medical report during the trial as evidence that Joseph Banyio died as a result of wounds sustained from a gunshot at close range.

Ezukwa however pleaded not guilty and argued that he acted on self defence.

"When the argument ensued, it was my brother that ran into the house and brought out a matchete which he used to hit me several times. I then went into the house and brought out a gun to defend myself," he said.

The prosecution counsel, Barr. Mrs Adidi Egba argued that the law should take its course because, "The evidence before the court are overwhelming and clear testimonies that Solomon Ezukwa deliberately shot and killed his brother."

But the defence counsel, Barrister Brown Obi prayed the court to consider Solomon Ezukwa as a juvenile and discharge him.

Justice Ebuta however ruled that the exhibits tendered during the trial showed that the accused was guilty of the offence and ordered that he should die by hanging.