An Abuja High Court on Thursday sentenced a 56-year-old Civil Servant, Philip Bassey to life imprisonment for causing the death of his friend, Emeka Nonyelu.

Delivering judgment, Justice Idris Mohammed held that the court found him guilty based on the evidence before the court and the statement of the defendant admitting to the crime.

“The eye witness’ account who was present is sufficient and legally acceptable and an accused could be guilty of murder not withstanding the period that the death occurred.

“Once the prosecution counsel proves cause of death, autopsy is not an absolute requirement to a conviction for murder. Autopsy is strictly necessary when cause of death is unknown.

“The Prosecution Counsel, Adama Musa gave a clear picture of the tragic occurrence of the death of the victim but the act of the defendant did not intend to kill but rather his actions caused Nonyelu’s death,” he said.

Mohammed convicted Bassey under section 224 of the Penal Code and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Section 224 states that whoever commits culpable homicide not punishable with death shall be punished with imprisonment for life or for any less term or with a fine or with both.

Earlier, Musa said that Bassey had an altercation with Nonyelu.

“Bassey slapped Nonyelu on the face and pushed him, causing him to fall and hit his head on the concrete at Airlington Hotel in Kubwa on Jan.6, 2024.

“Bassey’s actions left Nonyelu unconscious and caused his death days later,” the prosecution said.

The offence, he said contravened the provisions of sections 220 (a), (b) of the Penal Code and punishable under 221.

Bassey in his allocutus begged the court for mercy. (NAN)