Bayelsa Court Sentences Man to Death for Strangling Girlfriend Over ₦50,000 Dispute

YENAGOA – In a landmark ruling, the Bayelsa State High Court has sentenced 28-year-old Joseph Fekala to death by hanging for the brutal murder of his 25-year-old girlfriend, Kate Oguoh, during a heated argument over ₦50,000 in July 2022. The gruesome incident unfolded in Fekala’s room in Okaka, Yenagoa, where he confessed to strangling Oguoh before burying her body in a shallow grave beneath his bed – a chilling discovery that shocked the local community.

Three-Year Trial Culminates in Guilty Verdict

The case, which dragged on for three years, reached its conclusion before Justice Ineikade Eradiri, who meticulously dissected the prosecution’s evidence. Fekala was arrested shortly after the crime following his own admission to the police. Court records reveal he had received the money from Oguoh but became enraged during their dispute, leading to the fatal strangulation.

Justice Eradiri convicted Fekala on three counts:

• Murder under Section 247 of the Bayelsa State Criminal Code.
• Misconduct with a corpse.
• Unlawful burial in an unlicensed premises.

The judge acquitted him of theft but dismissed all defense arguments, including claims of insanity, provocation, and self-defense. “The exhibits tendered clearly show that the convict was in full control of his faculties and knew exactly what he was doing,” Eradiri ruled, rejecting a plea to downgrade the charge to manslaughter. The prosecution proved guilt beyond reasonable doubt, leaving no room for leniency.

Mandatory Death Penalty Invoked

Under Bayelsa’s Criminal Code, murder carries a mandatory death sentence, stripping the court of discretionary powers. Delivering the judgment, Justice Eradiri intoned: “The punishment for murder is death. I hereby sentence you, Joseph Fekala, to death by hanging until you die. May God have mercy on your soul.”

Fekala, who showed little remorse during proceedings, now awaits execution unless higher courts intervene. Rights groups have noted that while death sentences are common in Nigeria for capital offenses, actual executions remain rare, with many convicts lingering on death row amid ongoing debates over the penalty’s constitutionality.

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Broader Context of Rising Domestic Violence in Bayelsa

This case underscores the growing menace of gender-based violence in Bayelsa State, where disputes over money have fueled several high-profile killings. Local reports from outlets like The Tide and Niger Delta Voice highlight similar incidents, including a 2023 case in Yenagoa where a man was jailed for life after battering his wife to death. Police data indicates over 50 reported domestic murders in the Niger Delta region since 2022, often linked to economic pressures amid Nigeria’s inflation crisis.

Bayelsa State Police Command spokesperson, SP Alonye Ndiomu, reiterated calls for public vigilance: “We urge citizens to report suspicious activities early to prevent such tragedies.” Advocacy groups like the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Bayelsa chapter have pushed for stricter enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP), which criminalizes such acts but faces implementation hurdles in rural areas.

The judgment has sparked mixed reactions online, with many praising the court’s firmness while others decry the death penalty as outdated. Fekala’s family has hinted at an appeal to the Court of Appeal.