A Canadian court has handed a life sentence to a man convicted of killing two young Nigerians at a nightclub shooting in Vaughan, Ontario.
The victims, Chibueze Momah and Tosin Amos-Arowoshegbe, were fatally shot on July 23, 2022.
Following his conviction on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of unlawfully causing bodily harm, the offender was sentenced by the Ontario Court of Justice to life imprisonment without parole eligibility for 25 years.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, in a statement issued by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, welcomed the life sentence imposed on the man.
The commission described the judgment as a major step toward justice, even though it cannot erase the pain suffered by the victims’ families or bring back their loved ones.
Momah, who was 22 at the time of his death, had recently earned a diploma in Computer Programming and was aspiring to build a career in the technology sector. He was described as a promising young Nigerian with plans to support and reunite with members of his family in Canada.
Amos-Arowoshegbe lost his life while carrying out his duties as a security officer. Both men were remembered by family, friends and colleagues as hardworking, ambitious and dedicated to securing better futures for themselves and their loved ones.
NiDCOM recalled that its Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, visited the bereaved families after the tragedy to offer condolences and assure them of the commission’s support during their difficult period of grief.
The commission commended the efforts of Canadian law enforcement agencies and judicial authorities for ensuring that justice was served through a thorough investigation, prosecution and conviction of the offender.
It also praised the resilience and patience shown by the families throughout the lengthy legal process.
While reiterating its commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerians abroad, NiDCOM said it would continue to advocate for justice whenever Nigerians become victims of crimes in foreign countries.
The commission extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls.
