Filippo Ferlazzo, the Italian man who brutally killed Alika Ogorchukwu, a Nigeria-based Italian citizen, in July 2022, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison, News About Nigeria gathered.
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made this announcement in a statement issued on Thursday.
The case had garnered significant attention due to the shocking nature of the crime.
Alika Ogorchukwu, a street vendor, was assaulted in broad daylight as he hawked his wares.
His attacker, Filippo Ferlazzo, used Ogorchukwu’s own crutches to beat him to death while several onlookers watched, failing to intervene. Some bystanders recorded videos of the horrific attack on their phones.
On July 30, 2022, Ferlazzo was arrested and charged with the murder of Ogorchukwu and the theft of his phone.
The Italian Police believed that Ferlazzo attacked Ogorchukwu after the latter had asked Ferlazzo’s girlfriend to buy a handkerchief.
Dabiri-Erewa commended the Nigerian Mission in Rome for its dedication in pursuing justice in this case and other cases involving Nigerians. She expressed her satisfaction that justice had been served and emphasised the importance of consequences for actions.
NiDCOM Boss urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to remain law-abiding, excel in what they do and never forget home by giving back to their homeland.
She said, “I am glad that this case finally got justice. Like I always say, there have to be consequences for actions”.
The incident occurred on a busy central street in Civitanova Marche, Italy, at 2 p.m. on July 29, 2022. Paramedics discovered Ogorchukwu’s lifeless body at the scene.
