Ezinato community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State is mourning, because a driver allegedly crushed his brother to death while celebrating a judgment in a land dispute.
The driver, Chinwendu Okeke, allegedly killed his brother, simply identified as Sebastian, while gyrating in his vehicle to celebrate the judgment.
According to The Nation, the Court of Appeal judgment, which favoured Ntoko Ezinato village against Umuayom Ezinato village, threw the victorious villagers into jubilation when it was communicated to them.
While some indigenes of the community were said to have gone into a drinking spree to celebrate, others simply ran around the village in joy.
Chinwendu was said to be celebrating in his vehicle to show his happiness over the verdict when he accidentally crushed his brother to death.
A resident, Mrs Agnes Uche, told our correspondent that Chinwendu, who drove recklessly around the village, was cautioned by the deceased over his speed, but he drove pass him.
“I think he later saw his brother through the rear mirror and reversed to come and hear what he was saying, but by then, his brother had turned and was moving into the compound, when Chinwendu drove back and accidentally hit him.”
A brother to the deceased, Thompson Okeke, said Sebastian was rushed to Regina Caeli Hospital, Awka, but was referred to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital where he was confirmed dead.
He added: “We regret what happened. It was our elder brother who ran over him while he was celebrating the victory our village recently secured in court in a protracted land issue we had with our neighbours, Umuanyom village.”
Efforts to get the reaction of police spokesman Haruna Mohammed were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls. The SMS sent to him was not replied.