the argument ensued, it was my brother that ran into the house and brought out a matchete which he used to hit me several times. I then went into the house and brought out a gun to defend myself.”

Those where the words of 17-year-old Solomon Ezukwa while trying to defend his action after he was charged before Justice Tambe Ebuta of the Calabar High Court.

His defence, however, couldn’t convince the Judge who, on Friday, found him guilty of shooting his step- brother, Joseph Banyio, to death using a locally made single-barrel gun. He was thus sentenced to death by hanging.It was learnt that the incident took place in Aliki village, Cross River State.

According to the prosecuting police officer, Christian Ugwouke, who investigated the matter, the accused intentionally killed his brother. Ugwuouke told the court that the two brothers were playing a game when an argument ensued between them.

He also tendered a medical report during the trial as evidence which showed that Joseph Banyio died as a result of wounds sustained from a gunshot at close range.