The Ebonyi State High Court, Ohaukwu Judicial Division, has sentenced five men, including a cousin to the Ohaukwu Local Government Chairman, to death by hanging for the murder of 26-year-old Chinonso Elom at his shop.
The convicted persons—Anthony Elom a.k.a. Tidy, Chibueze Onwe a.k.a. Chief Oo, Chukwuemeka Ugah a.k.a. Parity, and Uchenna Odono (a cousin to the Council Chairman, Ikechukwu Odono)—are all from Ohaukwu LGA. A fifth suspect, ThankGod Onwe, remains at large.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Esther Otah of the Abakaliki High Court, Ohaukwu Division, held that the evidence presented by the prosecuting counsel, including eyewitness testimonies, proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused were responsible for the killing of Chinonso Elom. She stated that the defendants’ pleas were insufficient to absolve them of the crime.
Justice Otah further revealed that a forensic analysis of the firearm recovered from the assailants confirmed it had last been discharged on February 5, 2023—the date of the crime.
On the decision to sentence all defendants to death, despite only one of them pulling the trigger, the judge explained that the group had a common criminal intention, and as such, were collectively responsible for the fatal outcome.
The court pronounced:
“Anthony Elom a.k.a. Tidy, you shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul.
Chibueze Onwe a.k.a. Chief Oo, you shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul.
Chukwuemeka Ugah a.k.a. Parity, you shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul.
Uchenna Odono, you shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul.”
Reacting to the verdict, the defence counsel, Barr. Chinedu Uwa, expressed dissatisfaction and vowed to appeal the judgment.
On the other hand, the prosecuting counsel, Barr. Oluchi Ibiam of the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice, along with other legal practitioners from Ohaukwu LGA, Barr. Chinedu Ugadu and Barr. Chinedu Ituma, hailed the ruling as a true reflection of justice.
The President of the Amalgamated Ngboejeogu Youths, Barr. Michael Odo, also reacted with mixed feelings. He described the murder of Chinonso Elom as a tragic reflection of societal decay but expressed hope that the verdict would serve as a deterrent to youth involvement in cultism and violent crimes.
In his words:
“Fellow Ngboejeogu youths, it is with a heavy heart yet a sense of fulfilled justice that I address you this evening. The High Court has convicted and sentenced to death the four individuals charged with the murder of our brother, Chinonso Elom (aka Oscar). This is not a moment for celebration, but a sober reminder of the dangers of criminality and cultism.”
He continued, “Those sentenced today—two from Ngbo and two from Ezzangbo—had the potential to contribute positively to society. Instead, they chose a path of violence and have now become examples of infamy.”
On the evening of February 5, 2023, the convicted persons, along with the fugitive ThankGod Onwe, allegedly drove a branded Sienna bus affiliated with a known political party to Ndulo Umuogudu Akpu Road. They stopped at the shop of the deceased, located near Okwo Ngbo Main Market.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, believed to be members of a secret cult, demanded that Chinonso disclose the whereabouts of his younger brother, with whom they had an unresolved issue. When he could not provide the information, they attempted to force him into their vehicle. Upon his resistance, Anthony Elom allegedly shot him in the head with a shotgun, killing him instantly.
The killing sparked widespread protest by Ngbo youths, demanding justice. Four of the suspects were later identified and apprehended, while the fifth remains on the run.
Following their arrest, the suspects were charged with murder by the state.
On February 6, 2023, the youths of Ngboejeogu staged a peaceful protest, condemning the murder and demanding justice. Barr. Odo, who led the group, assured the community that the matter would be pursued to its conclusion. He praised community leaders and youths who united to ensure that the suspects were handed over to the authorities for investigation and prosecution.
He concluded, “Time is changing fast in Ngbo. Cultism is no longer fashionable—it is a scourge. We call on political leaders and youths alike to rise and condemn it in the strongest terms. Today’s judgment should serve as a hard lesson to others.”