28th April, 2017
Jethro Ibileke/Asaba
A Delta State High Court in Ughelli, has sentenced a former Counsellor and staff of Delta State Judiciary, Narebor Stephen Donbrapade, to death by hanging, for stabbing the wife of his co-flat mate to death.
The Court presided by Justice F. O. Ohwo, in suit number UHC/21c/13, found Donbrapade guilty on a count charge of murder preffered against him by the State Attorney-General through the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The accused, a 49-year old administrative staff of Delta State Judiciary who hailed from Esama town in Bomadi local government area, on or about 31 January, 2013 at Otobor Street, within the Ughelli judicial division, murdered his victim, Stella Avwenayerhe, by stabbing her on the chest.
According to Prosecution, the offence is punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap C.21, Volume 1, Laws of Delta State, 2006.
Popularly known as “Honourable,” the convict was said to have shared a room in a three bedroom flat with the husband of the deceased, located at 15, Otobo Street, Ughelli, with a separate entrance to his room.
On the fateful day, the accused and the victim were said to have had a minor altercation after he walked through the rug in the sitting room without removing his shoes. The altercation occurred after being reprimanded by the deceased.
For having the audacity to challenge him, the accused was reported to have dashed into his room and appeared with a knife and immediately stabbed Stella Avwenayerhe on the chest.
She was confirmed dead on arrival by doctors at the Ughelli Central hospital where she was rushed to by neighbours who came to her rescue.
In his defense, the accused who pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge, alleged that the victim was stabbed to death by some unidentified hoodlums in the area.
In his judgment, Justice F.O. Ohwo said he disbelieved the accused whom he described as not a witness of truth and believed the evidences of the four prosecution witnesses.
Ohwo ruled that the prosecution proved beyond all reasonable doubt the essential ingredients of the offence of murder against the accused person.
“I hereby sentence you to death by hanging on the neck until you be dead, may God have mercy on your soul,” Justice Ohwo said.