The Ebonyi State High Court sitting in the Ohaukwu Judicial Division has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for their involvement in the murder of 26-year-old Chinonso Elom, popularly known as Oscar.
The convicts; Anthony Elom (alias Tidy), Chibueze Onwe (alias Chief oo), Chukwuemeka Ugah (alias Parity), and Uchenna Odono, were found guilty of conspiracy and murder, which occurred on February 5, 2023, in the Ngbo community of Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
Reports indicated that the group, along with one ThankGod Onwe who remains at large, had driven a Sienna bus branded with a known political party’s insignia to Ndulo Umuogudu Akpu Road, where they confronted the deceased at his business location near Okwo Ngbo Main Market.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the group, suspected to be members of a secret cult, demanded information from Chinonso about his younger brother, with whom they had an unresolved issue.
When he could not provide any details, they attempted to force him into the vehicle.
Chinonso resisted, and in response, Anthony Elom reportedly shot him in the head with a shotgun, killing him instantly.
The murder triggered widespread outrage and protest by Ngbo youths demanding justice. Four of the suspects were identified and apprehended, while the fifth, ThankGod Onwe, evaded arrest.
The suspects were subsequently charged with murder by the Ebonyi State Government.
Delivering judgment, Justice Esther Otah held that the prosecution, led by Barr. Oluchi Ibiam, had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt through eyewitness accounts and forensic evidence, including a ballistic match between the recovered gun and the bullet that killed Chinonso.
She noted that while Anthony Elom fired the shot, all four acted with a shared intent and were therefore jointly culpable.
“The killers formed a common intention to prosecute the unlawful purpose,” she said.
“The defense of the defendants were not enough to exonerate them from the crime,” Justice Otah declared.
“Anthony Elom a.k.a Tidy, you will be hanged with rope until you die. May God save your soul. Chibueze Onwe a.k.a Chief oo, you will be hanged with rope until you die. May God save your soul.”
“Chukwuemeka Ugah a.k.a Parity, you will be hanged with rope until you die. May God save your soul. Uchenna Odono, you will be hanged with rope until you die. May God save your soul.”
Defense counsel Barr. Chinedu Uwa expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict and revealed plans to appeal.
In contrast, the prosecuting counsel and other lawyers from Ohaukwu, including Barr. Chinedu Ugadu and Barr. Chinedu Ituma, welcomed the judgment, calling it a “true reflection of justice.”
Barr. Michael Odo, President of the Amalgamated Ngboejeogu Youth, reacted with a mix of sorrow and resolve.
“Fellow Ngboejeogu youths, it is with mixed feelings of sadness but fulfilment of heart that I wish to address you this evening on the judgment of the High Court of Ebonyi State, Ohaukwu Judicial Division, delivered today 14/05/2025, in the case of State vs. Elom Anthony & 3 Others where the four defendants charged with the murder of Elom Chinonso (aka Oscar) were convicted and sentenced to death.”
“This judgment does not call for celebration. It is a sad reminder of a terrible decay in our society.”
“Those who were sentenced to death today are made up of two persons from Ngbo and two persons from Ezzangbo who could have added value to the society but chose the wrong path of criminality and ended up as a reference point in infamy.”
He recalled the peaceful protest held on February 6, 2023, by the youths of Ngboejeogu in response to the killing.
“The protest was brought to me as the President of Amalgamated Ngboejeogu Youth and I promised the youths of Ngboejeogu that we will follow up the matter and ensure that justice is done. Today, that promise was fulfilled through the judgment of the High Court in the matter.”
“I must thank in a special way the youths of Umuogudu Akpu Community, Umuezeaka Community, Umuogudu Oshia Community, etc who rallied round to draw the attention of the entire Ngbo people to this dastardly murder.”
He also acknowledged the role of the Ngbo Leaders Council.
“I thank the Ngbo Leaders Council for calling the solemn assembly at Obodo Akpu, Umuogudu Akpu Ngbo where decisions were taken to ensure that the suspects were produced and handed over to the police for investigation.”
Odo concluded with a stern warning against cultism: “Time is changing fast in Ngbo and cultism is becoming outdated and a nuisance. We call on all political leaders and youths in Ngbo to rise up and condemn cultism in all its ramifications and in the strongest terms. We pray that today’s judgment will teach the hard lesson it was intended to teach the youths of Ohaukwu Local Government Area.”
