Ekene Anigbo faces sentencing for Naramata manslaughter conviction

Sentencing hearings are underway in the B.C. Supreme Court in Kelowna for Ekene Anigbo, who was convicted of manslaughter in the 2021 death of Kathleen Richardson in Naramata. While Anigbo was acquitted of first-degree murder because the Crown could not prove he fired the fatal shots, the court found he and co-accused Jalen Falk worked together to enter Richardson’s home while searching for her son.

The Crown has recommended a life sentence with no parole eligibility for 10 years. Conversely, Anigbo’s defense lawyers have recommended a sentence of 12 to 14 years, citing his rehabilitation efforts, including the completion of anger management and Indigenous programs, and his lack of gang affiliation since 2024. Justice Alison Beames is expected to deliver a decision on Nov. 2.