Akinwande Soji-Ojo
An Italian, Filippo Ferlazzo, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for beating a Nigerian, Alika Ogorchukwu, to death.
The 39-year-old Nigerian was murdered in the Italian city of Civitanova Marche, in the Province of Macerata’s Marche Region in July 2022.
The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed this in a statement signed by the agency’s spokesperson, Gabriel Odu.
Recall that on July 29, 2022, Ogorchukwu, who was on crutches was assaulted in broad daylight by the Italian. The attacker beat Ogorchukwu to death using his crutches in front of several onlookers, who did not intervene. Some of the onlookers, however, recorded videos of the attack wit their phones.
On July 30, 2022, Ferlazzo, was arrested for murdering Ogorchukwu and stealing his phone. The Italian Police stated that they believed Ferlazzo attacked Ogorchukwu after he had asked Ferlazzo’s girlfriend to buy a handkerchief.
Ogorchukwu was found dead at the scene by paramedics.
The convict was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Wednesday.
Reacting, Dabiri-Erewa, who expressed satisfaction over the justice meted out on Ferlazzo, commended the Nigerian Mission in Rome for following through with the case and other cases involving Nigerians.
“I am glad that this case finally got justice. Like I always say, there has to be consequences for actions,” she said.
NIDCOM boss urged Nigerians in the diaspora to remain law abiding, excel in what they do and never forget home by giving back to Nigeria.
