ABERDEEN MAN JAILED FOR DEPRAVED RAPE AND MURDER OF MOTHER
Bala Chinda, aged 26, was found guilty of the heinous crime involving the rape and murder of Nkechi McGraa, a mother of one, in Aberdeen.Chinda denied any involvement in the death of the 37-year-old woman, also known as Jessica, at her residence on Union Terrace last February.
The court proceedings revealed that Chinda appeared visibly distressed as he received a life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years after being convicted by a jury at Aberdeen's High Court.
Law enforcement officials characterized the case as 'horrific' and noted that the jury reached a unanimous decision on the murder charge, while verdicts on the rape charges were split by a majority.
It was established that Ms.
McGraa died from asphyxiation, likely suffocated with a pillow and possibly strangled with a scarf.
Chinda’s father served at the Nigerian embassy in Beijing, and Chinda himself had arrived in Scotland only a few weeks prior to the incident to pursue studies at Robert Gordon University.
Video footage showed that he and the victim traveled together in a taxi the night before her death, and reports indicated they discussed money beforehand.
Her body was discovered partly clothed on her bed.
The trial detailed the circumstances surrounding her death, emphasizing asphyxiation and potential strangulation, and provided background details about Ms.
McGraa, who was an orphan from Nigeria with a young son residing with her adoptive mother in London.
Detective Inspector Stuart Houston expressed sorrow over the loss of a young mother, daughter, and friend, noting that Chinda showed no remorse and suggesting he deprived a young child of his mother.
The case also highlighted the victim’s involvement in prostitution, which posed additional challenges for the police.
