A Magistrate Court in Akure, the capital of Ondo state, has ruled that James Sunday, a 35-year-old biker, be held in police custody in connection with the suspected murder of his wife’s friend, Justinah Sunday, 42.
The accused was remanded by Chief Magistrate T.O. Olusola-Olujobi.
The Police Prosecutor, Taiwo Oniyere, told the court that the defendant illegally murdered Justinah on Sunday, March 13, 2024, at No. 47, Ijoka Street, Ondo, in the Ondo State Magisterial District.
Oniyere claimed the defendant illegally killed Justinah ‘F’, 42, by strangling her neck with a rope.
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He stated that the offence violates Sections 316 and 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
According to the police prosecutor, the deceased, who was a close friend of the defendant’s wife, instructed the defendant to transport cow meat worth N250,000 to one of her customers on his bike, but the accused reportedly diverted the meat to his home.
He added that when the deceased asked the accused for her money, he would threaten to murder her until he finally killed her.
The defendant, on the other hand, informed the court that he had known the dead for over nine years in Ile-Oluji town, claiming that he met his wife via her but had not communicated with her since they divorced and relocated to Ondo.
Oniyere urged the court to confine the defendant to the Olokuta Correctional Centre for guidance from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
However, the defence attorney, A.F. Falana, requested a date to file a response to the remand application.
Chief Magistrate Olusola-Olujobi remanded the defendant in police custody and adjourned the case to April 18, 2024, for a ruling.
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