A Nigerian man living in Canada, Adimabua Chukwuka, is facing a possible life sentence after being charged with first-degree murder. The 31-year-old was arrested in connection with the death of a 60-year-old homeless man, Mario Ferreira, in Toronto.
Authorities say the incident took place on March 20 near 144 College Street, close to the University of Toronto. Campus security officers discovered Ferreira unconscious and immediately alerted the Toronto Police Service. Emergency responders, including police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, arrived at the scene, but Ferreira was pronounced dead.
Toronto Police Detective Trevor Grieve noted that the department is fully committed to ensuring justice for the victim and his loved ones. “We are committed to bringing justice to Mr. Ferreira and his loved ones,” he said.
The police urged anyone with information to come forward, no matter how small the details may seem.
Following the incident, homicide detectives released an image of the suspect on March 21. Soon after, Chukwuka was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder.
Security footage reviewed by investigators reportedly showed the victim lying on a bench at 6 Queen’s Park Crescent around 5:20 a.m. when the suspect approached him. The police say Chukwuka armed himself with debris, possibly taken from a construction site or dumpster, and then violently attacked Ferreira without warning or provocation.
“He then fled the area holding the debris he used to commit the assault,” Grieve stated. Police continue to gather evidence, including additional video footage from nearby cameras, to piece together the full details of the crime.
Under Canadian law, first-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence. Section 235 (1) of the Canadian Criminal Code 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.” The law also specifies that those convicted of first-degree murder must serve at least 25 years before becoming eligible for parole.
If convicted, Chukwuka could spend the rest of his life in prison, with no possibility of early release for at least 25 years.
Meanwhile, another Nigerian man, Alex Sualim, who resided in Toronto, was recently sentenced in the United States for financial crimes. A U.S. court sentenced the 44-year-old to 12.5 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was also ordered to pay over $13 million in restitution.
