Conscientious Nigerian student, Nwadiaju, 34, got suspended jail term for assaultung wife in UK

A Nigerian student, John Nwadiaju, 34, of High Street, on Friday, May 5 was handed suspended 11 months jail term, restraining order, and unpaid work at Caernarfon Crown Court for a violent attack and abusue of his wife.

He had assaulted his wife, Kosisochukwu Stella Echem, on October 13, 2022.

Prosecuting, Paulinus Barnes told the court that Nwadiaju and Mrs Echem married in Nigeria in April 2022, having been in a relationship since the previous October.

But they separated in August 2022, with Mrs Echem having reported abuse and violence inflicted upon her by Nwadiaju in Nigeria previously.

Nwadiaju then came to the UK to study a masters course in environmental and business management in Bangor, and in October 2022, she arranged to visit him, with the intention of stimulating a reconciliation.

Echem arrived at his shared house in Bangor just before 12pm on October 13, along with friends and family members with the intention of reconcilling with Nwadiaju, but Nwadiaju soon became abusive to her according to information available to ValidViewNetwork..

Nwadiaju had taken her passport and Personal Independence Payment card, and when she tried to retrieve them from his pocket, he assaulted her repeatedly.

Police arrested him at the scene, and traces of blood were found both on his person and at his property.

He confirmed to police that, though he and Mrs Echem had separated, they remained married.

Defending, Richard Edwards said that Nwadiaju, who has no previous convictions, no longer has contact with Mrs Echem, and does not wish to.

Nwadiaju who mainatained that his action was self defence was however found guilty.

Nwadiaju who is currently living in Bangor as a resident in the UK on a 12-month student Visa, with his course due to end in September.

A job in Edinburgh had been offered to him, but if Nwadiaju was to take it, he would need to apply to the Home Office for a five-year work Visa; that has been put on hold due to the court proceedings.

Nwadiaju was described as a “conscientious student” and a “valued member of the course”, with an “excellent attendance record” and “good academic performance”.

“He’s an intelligent man, and he wants to do all that he could possibly do to ensure that he maintains his liberty,” Mr Edwards said.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Saffman sentenced Nwadiaju to 11 months’ imprisonment, suspended for one year.

ADVERTISEMENT

Nwadiaju must also carry out 250 hours’ unpaid work.

He was prohibited from contacting his wife for two years, except for through lawyers regarding any divorce or similar matters.

Judge Saffman told Nwadiaju: “I see you’re performing well at Bangor University, and you have plans for the future.

“(But) it’s clear that you have no genuine empathy or remorse for what you’ve done to your wife.

“A wife should feel safe within a relationship.”