A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced two women, Onyema Bright Worlu and Edina Lovely-Worleru to life imprisonment for the death of late Israel Georgewill.
Edina Lovely-Worleru who is a prophetess with a spiritual Church in Rumuche community in Emohua Local Government Area of the state, was reported to have prepared a poisonous substance as love portion for Onyema Bright-Worlu to administer on her man-friend, late Israel Georgewill who was a Prophet in another spiritual Church within the community in 2012.
The trial Judge, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, in his judgment delivery, found the two women guilty of Manslaughter rather than murder that was charged filed against them in the suit, for lack of intention on the part of the Defendants.
Justice Enebeli ruled that the prosecution was able to prove their case and the statement of the first defendant, Onyema Bright-Worlu at the police station were voluntarily as she stated that she administered the love portion on her man friend as prepared by her prophetess for the purpose of financial assistance from him but never knew it will cause his death.
The Judge after considering all the facts presented by parties and what the law said, especially under section 7 and 24 of administration of criminal code of Rivers State, convicted and sentenced Onyema Bright-Worlu and Edina Lovely-Worleru to life imprisonment without option of fine.
In an interview with our correspondent, State Counsel, Chidi Ekeh said the judgement is not only justice for the decease and his family but also for the state and Nigeria at large.
“When a court has established punishment for any offence, that is punishment it will impose at the end of the matter. If the court had convicted them, it would have been death sentence. The court found a reason to say it was not murder, but manslaughter for lack of intention on the part of the Defendants.
“The court reduced it to manslaughter and the punishment for manslaughter is life imprisonment and that is what happened. I am happy the matter has come to an end, I am happy justice has been served. The man who died has received justice. It’s a tripartite arrangement justice to the State, justice to the victims of the crime and justice to the Defendants.”
Also, Vincent Chuku, Counsel to the 1st Defendant, said he will appeal the judgement against his client for the interest of justice.
He said” However, we commend the court for the judgement, how it really examined issues, the court is right in it’s own estimation.
“We have really gone through this matter since 2012, till today we battled in the case, it has not been easy because the arguments where very tense.
“Like the court rightly said, if appeal or supreme court says otherwise, they will abide with whatever superior decisions of other courts concerning the matter. Certainly we are appealing the judgement, the fight is not over yet.”
