Ondo Court remands man for allegedly killing wife

An Ondo State Chief Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of a man, Sunday Emmanuel, in custody for allegedly killing his wife Linda.

City Round gathered that the defendant was arrested by the men of the state police command, for allegedly committing the crime at Ogbeni Camp in Ofosu, Idanre Local Government Area of the state in October.

After Emmanuel allegedly macheted the wife to death, he also allegedly attempted to kill his three-year-old son by macheting him.

The defendant, who is a farm labourer was alleged to have killed the deceased following a heated argument that ensued between them over their annual wages.

He was thereafter charged to court on two count-charge bothering on murder and attempted murder.

The police prosecutor, inspector Josephine Awanna informed the court that the defendant committed the offence on October 7, at 5:30 pm, at Ogbeni Camp Ofosu in the Idanre Local Government Area of the state.

The charge read in part, “That you, Sunday Emmanuel, m, on October 7, 2004, at about 5:30 at Ogbeni Camp via Ofosu, in the Ondo Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Linda Emmanuel, 35, by macheting her on the neck and cheek and hereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable Section 319 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution.

“That you, Sunday Emmanuel, on the same date, time and place, unlawfully attempted with the intention to kill your son, aged 3, by macheting him on the head.”

The offences, according to the charge, contravened Sections 319(1) and 320(1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charge but his plea was not taken by the magistrate court.

Due to the nature of the offence, the prosecutor prayed the court to remand the defendant in prison custody pending advice from the state Director of Public Prosecution.

In her ruling, the magistrate, Mrs Olateju Odenusi-Fadeyi, ordered the remand of the defendant at the correctional centre pending DPP’s advice.

She adjourned the case till February 2, 2025, for mention.