A High Court sitting in Yenagoa in Bayelsa State has sentenced to death by hanging a 30-year-old woman for killing her husband.
The unfortunate incident occurred on February 4, 2015 at the couple’s residence on Ebisam road at the Akenfa suburb of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The deceased, Henry Gagariga, a lawyer and his wife, Victoria, a staff of the Bayelsa Arts and Culture, both of Bayelsa State origin got married in 2014, though the union was yet to produce any child before the unfortunate incident.
Victoria was said to have stabbed Henry on the neck after a misunderstanding between them before he was confirmed dead by doctors at the hospital.
The Presiding judge, Justice Nayai Aganaba, before reading his judgement, said the prosecution called six witnesses and produce seven exhibits while the defence only had one witness, who happens to be the accused.
He pointed out that the circumstantial evidence against the accused was overwhelming, adding that all facts confirmed that she was the only person with the deceased at the time of death and the only person to have the opportunity to have killed him.
According to Justice Aganaba, the accused committed a murder of passion which was a result of jealousy as the couple was obsessed with each other.
“It is unfortunate that I can only pronounce the sentence prescribed by law. I wish I had the discretion to do otherwise. However that discretion rests with the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State.
“I am only left with the compulsion to pronounce the sentence prescribed by law. I hope that person with the discretion would look at the circumstance of this case and do the needful.
“I hereby pronounce my sentence. My sentence upon you is that you shall hang on the neck until you die. May the Lord have mercy on your soul,” the judge said.
