Nwankwo-Ekeh, Hugo

Hugo Nwankwo-Ekeh was convicted in December 2012 at the Central Criminal Court of murder and violent disorder. He was 16 years of age at the time of the offences

Mr Nwankwo-Ekeh was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years.

The CCRC received an application for review of Mr Nwankwo-Ekeh’s sentence in February 2021.

Following a thorough review, the CCRC decided to refer Mr Nwankwo-Ekeh’s sentence to the Court of Appeal.

At sentencing, Mr Nwankwo-Ekeh was not credited with time he had spent in custody whilst on remand.

In addition, new psychiatric evidence and legal argument indicated that the sentence was manifestly excessive.

The CCRC concluded there was a real possibility the Court of Appeal would reduce Mr Ekeh’s sentence.

The CCRC referred the sentence in May 2024.

A review into the conviction was ongoing at the time of the sentence referral.

The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal in July 2024.