In a devastating conclusion to a tragic case, Nalukui Akafekwa, a 26-year-old man from Garden Chilulu compound in Lusaka, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the gruesome murder of 10-year-old Chikondi Banda. The Lusaka High Court delivered the verdict, citing overwhelming evidence that proved Akafekwa’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The events leading up to the murder are chilling. Akafekwa, a neighbor of the deceased, had demanded a ransom of K12,000 from Chikondi’s family. When his demands were not met, he brutally killed the young boy in a maize field behind Emmasdale Police Post.
The court heard that Akafekwa pushed Chikondi down and struck him on the head with a stone, causing his death. The boy’s decomposed body was discovered six days later, with his head wrapped in a black plastic bag.
High Court Judge Mwape Bowa emphasized that Akafekwa’s actions demonstrated clear intent and a shocking lack of remorse. The judge also noted that Akafekwa had betrayed the trust of a child who saw him as a neighbor and familiar face.
The case has sent shockwaves through the country, with many calling for justice to be served. The sentence handed down by the Lusaka High Court serves as a reminder that such heinous crimes will not be tolerated.