Abuja Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Friend’s Fatal Fall at Birthday Party

A Federal Capital Territory High Court has sentenced Ekang Bassey to life imprisonment following a physical altercation that led to the death of his friend, Emeka Nnonifu, during a birthday celebration in the Kubwa area of Abuja.

The fatal incident occurred on January 6, 2024, during a party organized by the victim. According to investigators, a disagreement between the two men escalated into a physical fight. During the confrontation, Bassey assaulted Nnonifu by slapping and pushing him, causing him to fall backward and strike his head against a concrete surface. Nnonifu sustained severe head injuries from the impact, which ultimately proved fatal.

Bassey was originally prosecuted on a charge of culpable homicide punishable by death. However, in delivering the judgment for Suit No. FCT/HC/CR/330/2024, the court ruled that while the defendant’s unlawful actions directly caused Nnonifu’s death, the prosecution did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Bassey possessed the deliberate intent or prior knowledge required to sustain a death penalty conviction.

Consequently, the court downgraded the offense, convicting Bassey of culpable homicide and sentencing him to life imprisonment.

FCT Police Command spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh confirmed the court’s decision, noting that the thorough investigation and subsequent ruling underscore the law enforcement’s dedication to securing justice for victims of violence while upholding the rule of law.