After nine long years of legal battle, the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has convicted two women, Prophetess Edina Lovelyn-Worlu and Ms. Onyema Bright-Worlu, over the death of one Israel Georgewill.
The court, consequently, sentenced the duo to life imprisonment.
Lovelyn-Worlu, a prophetess with a spiritual Church in Rumuche Community, Emohua Local Government Area of the state, was accused of preparing a poisonous substance which she presented to Bright-Worlu as a love potion, instructing her to add to (her lover) Georgewill’s food.
The act, perpetrated in 2012, led to the death of Georgewill.
Though the duo were initially charged with murder, the trial Judge, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, Thursday, convicted them for manslaughter.
Justice Adolphus Enebeli held that the prosecution had proved their case and that the statements of the 1st defendant, Bright-Worlu, at the police station, were voluntarily given.
In the statement, Bright-Worlu claimed to have administered the love potion to her man-friend (Georgewill) as prepared by her prophetess, who is the 2nd defendant in the matter, to help her get a financial assistance she had sought from him. But she never knew that the ‘love potion’ would kill Georgewill, her lover.
After reviewing all the facts presented by the parties before the court, and considering the provisions of Sections 7 and 24 of the Administration of Criminal Code of Rivers State, Justice Enebeli convicted and sentenced Prophetess Edina Lovelyn-Worlu and Ms. Onyema Bright-Worlu to life imprisonment.
But Counsel to the First Defendant, Mr. Vincent Chukwu, told journalists after the judgment, they were heading to the Court of Appeal.
“We have really gone through this matter since 2012 or so,” he said. “It is about nine years now that we have battled this and it has not been easy.
“The argument was very tensed. Judgment has been given; you can even hear that the court has made a pronouncement that we have a right of appeal even till we get to the Supreme Court.
“So, the fight is not over. It will get to the Supreme Court certainly. We are appealing the judgment.”
Meanwhile, the Principal Prosecutor, Mr. Chidi Ekah, has described the judgment as justice for the deceased, his family, the state, and Nigeria at large.
“I am happy that this matter has come to end.,” Ekah continued. “It does not mean that I am happy that somebody’s life will be wasted in prison; we do not take delight in that but the law must take its course. After all, somebody was killed and so the law says if you kill, this is the punishment for you.
“The court was even magnanimous enough to reduce it from murder to manslaughter. I am happy that justice has been served.”