Man Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Machete Assault on Siblings in Rivers

A Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has sentenced 28-year-old Chigozie Ordu to one year in prison for unlawfully assaulting two of his siblings, leading to severe bodily injuries.

Ordu was convicted on two counts related to the unlawful assault of Chinaza Victor and Samuel Victor.

The court determined that the accused attacked Chinaza with a machete, causing injuries to her left hand and back, and he also inflicted wounds on Samuel by cutting him on the head.

This occurrence took place on January 4, 2022, at Jesus Avenue, off School Road, Igwuruta-Ali, within the jurisdiction of Port Harcourt.

In delivering the verdict, Chief Magistrate Illaye Brown emphasized that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The court rejected Ordu's claim of self-defense, stating that it did not fulfill the legal criteria necessary for such a defense.

The magistrate pointed out that for self-defense to be applicable, there should be evidence of serious and sudden provocation, a genuine and reasonable loss of control, and a retaliatory response that is proportional to the initial aggression.

The court concluded that Ordu had instigated the situation and did not demonstrate any of these required aspects.

Additionally, Magistrate Brown noted that the defendant showed no signs of remorse during the trial.

The magistrate dismissed the assertion that the complainants had attacked Ordu first, as he had no visible injuries, while the siblings appeared in court with their wounds bandaged.

Consequently, the court sentenced Ordu to one year in prison for each count under Section 335 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. II, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), with the sentences to be served concurrently.

It was also noted that in 2022, the prosecuting attorney, Christian Njigwum, had previously filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the defendant before Justice Ben Whyte of the Rivers State High Court.

The court ruled in favor of the complainants and ordered Ordu to pay damages of N1 million, which remain unpaid.

After the ruling, the prosecution lawyer, Christian Njigwum, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision.