Delta Court Sentences Son, Accomplice to Death by Hanging for Strangling 70-Year-Old Mother Over Witchcraft Allegation

 A Delta State High Court sitting in the Kwale Judicial Division has sentenced a 44-year-old man, Lucky Edozien, and his 33-year-old accomplice, Amaechi Enuebuka, to death by hanging for the murder of Edozien’s 70-year-old mother, Mrs. Janeth Odinuwe.

Justice D.C. Maidoh delivered the judgment on March 25, 2026, in suit No. HCK/54C/2023 – State vs. Lucky Edozien & Amaechi Enuebuka, after finding both men guilty of conspiring to kill the deceased.

The court convicted them under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Law (Cap C21, Vol. 1, Laws of Delta State, 2006).

The incident occurred on April 13, 2023, at the victim’s home in Umudike Quarters, Ossissa, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to the prosecution, led by Assistant Director in the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Catherine Onoberhie-Oberuomo, Edozien believed a ring worn by his mother was responsible for his personal hardships and accused her of witchcraft. He then conspired with Enuebuka, a commercial motorcyclist and part-time disc jockey (DJ), to eliminate her.

Edozien reportedly promised Enuebuka musical instruments as payment for his role. On the fateful day, Enuebuka distracted the deceased’s sister, Mrs. Paulinah Okonji, by pretending to negotiate the purchase of scrap metal behind the house. This allowed Edozien to gain unchallenged access to his mother’s room, where he strangled her to death.7e2107

The prosecution proved its case despite the absence of an eyewitness and the refusal of Mrs. Okonji to testify. It relied heavily on the Doctrine of Last Seen and testimonies from police investigators.

Justice Maidoh, after reviewing the evidence, held that the prosecution successfully established the guilt of both accused persons beyond reasonable doubt.

The court accordingly sentenced Lucky Edozien and Amaechi Enuebuka to death by hanging.

This case has drawn attention to the tragic consequences of superstition and family disputes in parts of the country, with the judgment underscoring the state’s commitment to justice in homicide matters.

The convicts are expected to remain in custody pending any appeal processes.