A 31-year-old Nigerian man, Adimabua Chukwuka, faces the possibility of life imprisonment after being charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 60-year-old homeless man, Mario Ferreira, in Toronto, Canada.
Authorities apprehended Chukwuka last Friday following a tip-off to the Toronto Police Service’s 52 Division. Reports indicate that the suspect allegedly launched an unprovoked attack on Ferreira, resulting in the victim’s death.
Police responded to an emergency call from University of Toronto Campus Safety Special Constables on March 20, discovering Ferreira unconscious near 144 College Street. Despite the efforts of first responders, Ferreira was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detective Trevor Grieve underscored the police’s dedication to achieving justice for Ferreira and his family, urging anyone with relevant information or sightings to come forward. He emphasized the importance of even the smallest details, encouraging the public to report anything they might know.
The investigation gained traction when homicide detectives released a photo of the suspect on March 21. Chukwuka was swiftly taken into custody and formally charged with first-degree murder. Grieve detailed that security footage revealed the victim lying on a bench around 5:20 a.m. when Chukwuka allegedly armed himself with debris, possibly sourced from a construction site.
“In a sudden and violent manner, the suspect approached Mr. Ferreira and assaulted him with the debris, then fled the scene,” Grieve stated, acknowledging ongoing efforts to gather further evidence and review additional video footage.
Under Section 235 (1) of the Canadian Criminal Code, individuals convicted of first-degree or second-degree murder face a mandatory life sentence. The law stipulates that those guilty of first-degree or second-degree murder will receive imprisonment for life as a minimum punishment.
If convicted, Chukwuka could face life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 25 years.
In a related legal development, another Nigerian man residing in Toronto, Alex Sualim, aged 44, has been sentenced to 12.5 years in prison by a U.S. District Judge for his involvement in wire fraud, along with a restitution order exceeding $13 million following his guilty plea.
