Court Sentences Vigilante to Death for Murder of Phone Repairer in Anambra

A High Court in the Ogbaru Judicial Division of Anambra State has sentenced a vigilante member, Onyeka Eze, to death by hanging for the murder of a phone repairer, Anayo Ugbo.

The judgment was delivered by Administrative Judge Charles Okaa on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

According to the prosecution, Ugbo, who was from Ogboji Ezzagu in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was repairing a phone at Shoe Site Market in Okpoko, Ogbaru LGA, on May 5, 2022, when Eze summoned him to meet their “boss.”

Assistant Chief State Counsel Chinyere Aganama-Onyeze, who led the prosecution from the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, told the court that Ugbo initially asked for time to finish the repair work but was eventually compelled to accompany Eze to the vigilante office located in a three-storey building within the market.

Upon arrival, the vigilante leader was reportedly not present. Ugbo later requested permission to return to his shop to continue working, but his request was refused.

The prosecution stated that Eze demanded that Ugbo pay compensation over an earlier incident involving a broken chair and a spilled pot of pepper soup. Ugbo denied any involvement in the matter.

During the confrontation, Eze allegedly attacked Ugbo and pushed him from the third floor of the building.

Ugbo sustained severe head injuries and was taken to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, where he died two days later while receiving treatment.

During the trial, the prosecution presented four witnesses, including the victim’s brother, a police inspector, an eyewitness, and the doctor who conducted the autopsy.

The victim’s brother told the court that Ugbo had narrated what happened to him while he was still alive, in the presence of an eyewitness identified as Joshua Igwe and a customer.

Eze testified in his own defense and maintained his innocence. However, during cross-examination, he was unable to establish that he was an authorized vigilante member.

Justice Okaa ruled that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt and found Eze guilty of murder.

At the time of the incident in 2022, Eze was 26 years old. He is currently 30 and is said to be a resident of Enueiji in Ika North Local Government Area of Delta State.