Alika Ogorchukwu: Italian who beat Nigerian man to death sentenced to 24 years imprisonment

A 33-year-old Italian, Filippo Ferlazzo, who beat a Nigerian man, Alika Ogorchukwu, to death in Italy has been sentenced to 24 years imprisonment. 

The court of Assizes of Macerata sentenced Ferlazzo, from Salerno near Naples, on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, for the aggravated voluntary murder of the 39-year-old Nigerian street hawker, who was physically disabled. 

It would be recalled that on July 29, 2022, Ogorchukwu was assaulted in broad daylight as he was hawking on the streets of Civitanova Marche located in the Province of Macerata, March Region of Italy. 

The convict beat Ogorchukwu to death using the crutches that the deceased used to walk, then straddled him, crushing his neck and head.

This happened in front of several onlookers who did not intervene. Some of the onlookers, however, recorded videos of the attack using their phones.

On July 30, 2022, Filippo Ferlazzo, was arrested on murder charges. 

The Italian Police stated that they believe Ferlazzo attacked Ogorchukwu after he had asked Ferlazzo’s girlfriend to buy a handkerchief. 

Two protest marches were held in a town on Italy’s Adriatic coast a few days later to demand justice for the Nigerian whose death attracted global headlines.  

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has expressed satisfaction over the justice meted out on Filippo Ferlazzo.  

“I am glad that this case finally got justice. Like I always say, there has to be consequences for actions,” she said in a statement issued by NiDCOM spokesperson, Gabriel Odu on Thursday, September 28. 

Dabiri-Erewa commended the Nigerian Mission in Rome, for following through with the case and other cases involving Nigerians. 

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.