An Italian, Filippo Ferlazzo, on Wednesday, bagged a 24-year jail term for causing the death of a 39-year-old physically challenged Nigerian man, Alika Ogorchukwu, in a Marche coastal city of Italy in July 2022.
This was disclosed by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in a statement issued on Thursday titled; ‘Justice At Last For Alika Ogorchukwu’, signed by Gabriel Odu of its Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit.
Odu, in the statement obtained by LEADERSHIP, said the chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has consequently expressed satisfaction over the justice meted out on Ferlazzo even though the life lost can never be replaced.
“I am glad that this case finally got justice. Like I always say, there has to be consequences for actions,” the statement quoted Dabiri-Erewa as saying.
He said Dabiri-Erewa commended the Nigerian Mission in Rome for following through with the case and other cases involving Nigerians.
“The convict bagged 24 years jail term on Wednesday for causing the death of a 39-year-old Nigerian man who was on crutches, walking in a Marche coastal city in July 2022,” the statement said.
It could be recalled that on July 29, 2022, the late Alika Ogorchukwu was assaulted in broad daylight as he was walking. The attacker beat Ogorchukwu to death using Ogorchukwu’s crutches in front of several onlookers, who did not intervene. Some of the onlookers, however, recorded videos of the attack using their phones.
On July 30, 2022, Filippo Ferlazzo was arrested on charges of having murdered Ogorchukwu and having stolen Ogorchukwu’s phone. The Italian Police stated that they believed Ferlazzo attacked Ogorchukwu after he had asked Ferlazzo’s girlfriend to buy a handkerchief.
The incident was reported to have taken place at 2p.m. on Friday in the main central street of Civitanova Marche, Italy. Ogorchukwu was found dead at the scene by paramedics.
“NiDCOM Boss urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to remain law abiding, excel in what they do and never forget home by giving back to homeland,” Odu added.
Credit: Leadership