Anambra court sentences Nonso Anunobi to life imprisonment for armed robbery, kidnapping, and attempted murder.
Justice Anulude says the ruling sends a strong warning against violent crime in the state.
The Anambra State judiciary has once again underscored its firm stance against violent crime, sentencing one Nonso Anunobi to life imprisonment for his role in a chilling case of armed robbery, kidnapping, attempted murder, and criminal conspiracy.
Justice G. C. Anulude of the State High Court 1 in Neni handed down the judgment after years of legal proceedings in case number NN/5C/2019. The prosecution presented overwhelming evidence implicating Anunobi in the attack and abduction of Mr. Aloysius Obidinma.
According to court records, Anunobi and his gang ambushed Obidinma in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area, while he was en route to Onitsha from his hometown. The attackers shot and assaulted their victim before dragging him into a vehicle. They stole his car, laptop, mobile phones, and other valuables before demanding ransom from his family.
The gang’s operation began to unravel when security operatives traced one of the stolen devices, leading to the arrest of the suspects. The prosecution team, led by Assistant Chief State Counsel Fabian Okeke, argued that the crime met the legal threshold for a death sentence under armed robbery laws. However, the defense appealed for leniency.
In his ruling, Justice Anulude found Anunobi guilty on all counts. While acknowledging that the law prescribes a death penalty for armed robbery, he explained that the court opted for a life sentence due to mitigating factors and the defense’s plea for mercy. He condemned the cruelty of the crimes and expressed hope that the judgment would discourage others from engaging in similar acts.
“This court finds the accused guilty as charged,” Justice Anulude stated. “These acts of cruelty cannot be swept under the carpet. May this verdict send a strong message to those who prey on innocent citizens.”
Reacting to the ruling, Mr. Okeke expressed satisfaction and called for sustained collaboration between law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and members of the public to strengthen the justice system and enhance security in the state.
This ruling follows closely on the heels of another life sentence handed down by the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Court in Awka. In that case, a security operative, Michael Okoi, was convicted for raping a 17-year-old girl hawking food near Upper Iweka, Onitsha.
Observers say both verdicts reflect a growing resolve within Anambra’s judicial system to crack down on violent offenders and restore public faith in the rule of law. Legal analysts have also commended the coordinated efforts of police investigators, state prosecutors, and justice advocates who contributed to these landmark convictions.
