Nigerian Student Gets Suspended Sentence in Wales for Domestic Violence
A UK-based Nigerian student, John Nwadiaju has been spared jail after he “violently attacked and abused” his wife, Kosisochukwu Echem.
Nwadiaju 34, a student at Bangor University in North Wales, United Kingdom, was on Friday handed a suspended sentence, restraining order, and unpaid work at Caernarfon Crown Court today.
He had assaulted his wife, Kosisochukwu Stella Echem, on October 13, 2022.
Prosecutor, Paulinus Barnes told the court that Nwadiaju and Echem got married in Nigeria in April 2022 but separated in August 2022 over domestic abuse and violence.
He then came to the UK to study a masters course in environmental and business management in Bangor.
Echem visited him in Bangor in the hope of reconciliation, but soon Nwadiaju became abusive to her. Nwadiaju allegedly took her passport and Personal Independence Payment card and repeatedly assaulted her.
Police arrested him at the scene, and bloodstains were found on his person and property.
He confirmed to police that, though he and Mrs Echem had separated, they remained married.
Defending, Richard Edwards said that Nwadiaju, who has no previous convictions, no longer has contact with Mrs Echem, and does not wish to.
Nwadiaju was described as a “conscientious student” and a “valued member of the course”, with an “excellent attendance record” and “good academic performance”.
“He’s an intelligent man, and he wants to do all that he could possibly do to ensure that he maintains his liberty,” Mr Edwards said.
Despite claiming self-defence, Nwadiaju was found guilty, and Judge Nicola Saffman sentenced him to 11 months in prison, suspended for one year, and ordered him to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.
He was prohibited from contacting his wife for two years, except for through lawyers regarding any divorce or similar matters.
Judge Saffman told Nwadiaju: “I see you’re performing well at Bangor University, and you have plans for the future.
“(But) it’s clear that you have no genuine empathy or remorse for what you’ve done to your wife.
“A wife should feel safe within a relationship.”
