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A High Court in Port Harcourt has fixed 15 January 2021, for judgment in the murder case of Jumia delivery agent Chukwuma Eleje, who was killed in 2017 at Ada-George axis of Port Harcourt.
Eleje was killed and dumped in a septic tank in March 2017 at Ada George Road in the city, by the two accused Sodienye Mbatumueke and Excel Naabee.
The deceased, a Dispatcher for Jumia, was murdered when he went to deliver items such as iPhone and other valuables ordered online by Mbatumueke and his accomplice Excel Naabee.
Late Eleje was strangled and his body was dumped in a septic tank. His body was later recovered by Homicide detectives of the Rivers State Police Command.
The Defendants Sodienye Mbatumueke and Excel Naabee are standing trial on two-count charges bothering on murder and armed robbery
After years of trial, the lawyers for the accused and the state gave their final addresses on Monday, December 7. Justice Chigozie Igwe then reserved judgement for 15 January 2021.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Chigozie Igwe, reserved judgment after listening to Counsels’ submissions of their final written addresses.
In his submission, Bonaventure Ugwu, the lawyer representing 1st Defendant Sodienye Mbatumueke, urged the court to discharge and acquit his client as the prosecution did not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lucky Agor, lawyer to 2nd Defendant, Excel Naabee also submitted that the court should discharge and acquit his client as the prosecution failed to prove that Naabee is an accomplice in the murder of late Chukwuma Eleje.
In a counter submission, the Prosecution Counsel urged the Court to convict the accused as the 42 exhibits and 10 witnesses presented before the court proved their culpability.
He said the confessional statement of Mbatumeke proved that he tricked the deceased to come into the compound so he could kill him and collect his valuables.
Why kill him?? They should have taken the item if that’s what they wanted and spear his life, well they have to face the full weight of the law.