A 31-year-old Nigerian man, Adimabua Chukwuka, is facing a possible life sentence after being charged with the first-degree murder of a 60-year-old homeless man, Mario Ferreira, in Toronto, Canada.
It was gathered on Tuesday that Chukwuka was arrested last Friday by the Toronto Police Service’s 52 Division following a tip from the public.
It was alleged that Chukwuka attacked Ferreira without provocation, leading to the victim’s death.
According to the report, police responded to a call from University of Toronto Campus Safety Special Constables on March 20 regarding an unconscious man near 144 College St. Officers, firefighters, and paramedics arrived at the scene, but Ferreira was pronounced dead.
Detective Trevor Grieve emphasised the police department’s commitment to justice, stating, “We are committed to bringing justice to Mr Ferreira and his loved ones.”
He urged anyone with information to come forward, adding, “We are asking anyone who may have seen something, no matter how small, to call immediately.”
The report stated that homicide investigators released a photo of the suspect on March 21, and shortly afterward, Chukwuka was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder.
Grieve explained that security footage showed the victim lying on a bench near 6 Queen’s Park Crescent around 5:20 a.m. when the suspect armed himself with debris, possibly from a construction site or dumpster.
“Without warning or provocation, the suspect approaches Mr Ferreira, who is lying on the bench, and uses that debris to assault him repeatedly and violently,” Grieve said.
“He then fled the area holding the debris he used to commit the assault,” he added. He noted that investigators continue to gather evidence and review security footage.
“We are continuing to canvas for additional video and information,” Grieve said, urging anyone with relevant footage to contact police.
Meanwhile, according to Section 235 (1) of the Canadian Criminal Code, anyone convicted of first-degree or second-degree murder faces a mandatory life sentence.
The law states, “Everyone who commits first-degree murder or second-degree murder is guilty of an indictable offence and shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life.”
It further clarifies that “the sentence of imprisonment for life prescribed by this section is a minimum punishment.”
If convicted, Chukwuka will face life imprisonment with no possibility of parole for at least 25 years.
It will also be recalled that a 44-year-old Nigerian man, Alex Sualim, who lived in Toronto, has been sentenced to 12.5 years (150 months) in prison by U.S. District Judge Susan R. Bolton.
He was also ordered to pay more than $13m in restitution after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
