The High Court of Anambra State, Awka Judicial Division, has sentenced Silas Uwa to life imprisonment for killing his uncle, Nweke Eziokwu, during a dispute over family land in Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area.
Justice Okechukwu Nwabunike convicted Uwa of manslaughter after finding credible circumstantial evidence linking him to the killing. The court rejected his claim of self defence.
The prosecution told the court that the deceased and the defendant had been involved in a dispute over ownership of a parcel of land. The family kindred had reportedly ruled that the land belonged to Eziokwu, but Uwa and his siblings rejected the decision.
According to the prosecution, Uwa later confronted his uncle on his farm, where the disagreement escalated into a fight. He was accused of using a machete to attack and kill Eziokwu.
The prosecution called four witnesses, including the investigating police officer, to establish its case.
Although the defence argued that there was no eyewitness to the killing and raised self defence, Justice Nwabunike held that a case could be established through credible circumstantial evidence.
The judge consequently convicted Uwa of the lesser offence of manslaughter and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The case has renewed calls for people involved in land disputes to seek legal remedies rather than resort to violence or self help.
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