TUNDE OYEBANJI AWOTOYE J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is the judgment in respect of the appeal lodged by the appellant on 5/7/2013 against the judgment of Imo State High Court in HOW/37c/2002. THE STATE v. EJIKE OKORO and 10 ORS. delivered on 15/6/2013.
The appellant and others were arraigned before the lower court on information which read thus:
AT THE SESSION HOLDEN AT OWERRI this day of 2001. The Honourable Court is informed by the Attorney General of Imo State on behalf of the State that Ejike Okoro, Cajethan Okoro, Uchenna Udeh, Raphael Ike, Paul Njoku, Ikechukwu Ukaonu, Boniface Okoro, Eric Igbo, Chidiebere Ajoku, Livinus Ihekaji alias Npiopara and Anayo-Chukwu Unamba are charged with the following offences.
STATEMENT OF OFFENCE
MURDER contrary to Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 30 vol. II Laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963 applicable to Imo State.
PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
Ejike Okoro, Cajethan Okoro, Uchenna Udeh, Raphael Ike, Paul Njoku, Ikechukwu Ukaonu, Boniface Ok…