Chiamaka Ifezue has been sentenced to death by hanging by an Enugu State High Court for the murder of a 27-year-old makeup artist, Ijeoma Nneke. Presided over by Honourable Justice Kenneth Okpe, the court delivered a two-hour judgment on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, finding Ifezue guilty of forcibly administering a poisonous substance to the victim, resulting in her death.
The tragic incident occurred after Ijeoma went missing on November 11, 2020, following her departure for a job. Her mutilated body was later discovered around Maryland in Enugu metropolis on November 16.
Ifezue and her brother, Chukwuemeka, were apprehended and charged with conspiracy and murder in 2020. They were accused of compelling Nneke to ingest a poisonous substance, leading to her demise.
During the trial, Justice Okpe discharged Chukwuemeka following a no-case submission by the defense counsel, Mr. Chuma Oguejiofor, citing insufficient evidence of his involvement in the crime.
However, Justice Okpe, in delivering the final judgment, ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven Ifezue’s guilt of murder beyond a reasonable doubt. The court concurred with the submissions of Chinelo Chigbo, who led the prosecution, and sentenced Ifezue to death by hanging.
Throughout the trial, the court admitted police exhibits related to the alleged murder of the makeup artist. Prosecution Witness 7, Sgt. Udeze Oguguo, a police officer attached to the Independence Layout Police Division in Enugu, tendered the exhibits recovered from the crime scene. These included currency, mobile phones, makeup tools belonging to the deceased, and the key to a Toyota Metrix car allegedly used to transport the victim’s body.
Oguguo also presented hard copies of WhatsApp and text messages exchanged between the deceased and her fiancé and friend, respectively, while at the crime scene.
