The Supreme Court has
okayed the convicted General-Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly,
Rev Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, a.k.a Rev. King to die by hanging.
In a unanimous judgment on
Friday afternoon, a seven-man panel of Justice of the apex court led by
Justice Walter Onnoghen, upheld the death sentence that was earlier
handed to Rev king by the Lagos State High Court.
Consequently, the court in
its lead verdict that was delivered by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta,
dismissed the appeal the convicted clergy lodged before it.
Rev King was sentenced to death by the
then Justice Joseph Oyewole of Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on January
11, 2007 for the murder of one of his church member, Ann Uzoh.
Reverend King was arraigned on September
26, 2006 on a six-count charge of attempted murder, but he pleaded
guilty to the allegations.
The Apex Court adjourned the case till
26 February 2016, which is today, to give a final judgement after
listening to arguments from counsel to prosecution and defense in the
matter.
One of the crimes he was found doing was
that the convict poured petrol on the deceased and five other persons
and that Uzoh died on August 2, 2006; 11 days after the act was
perpetrated on her.
Rev King was sentenced to 20 years
imprisonment for attempted murder and death by hanging for committing
murder. He appeal the verdict in Lagos Court of Appeal, but it was
thrown out. He also approached the Supreme Court to upturn the
judgement.
“The judgment of the High Court is
hereby affirmed, and the conviction imposed on the appellant, (which is
death by hanging) is also affirmed,” Justice Fatimo Akinbami who read
the judgement held.
Two other members of the panel of Justices also concurred with the lead judgement.
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