A 34-year-old labourer has been remanded in a correctional centre in Ondo State by a magistrate court for allegedly macheting his employer’s husband to death.

The defendant, identified as John Odah, who was brought before the court on one count charge of murder, was accused of committing the crime on the farm of his employer.

Odah was arrested by the operatives of the state police command on April 18, 2025, at Agbajo farm, Ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Council Area of the state.

It was gathered that the defendant, who was employed by the deceased wife to work on the farm, was alleged to have macheted the deceased on his head, following a heated argument that ensued between them over hard drugs.

According to the prosecutor, Odah allegedly inflicted fatal machete wounds to the deceased’s forehead and back, which eventually led to his death.

The charge reads, “That you, John Odah, m, on April 18, 2025, at about 2:00 pm, Agbajo farm via Ilu-Abo, in the Akure Magisterial District, did unlawfully machete one Sunday Innocent ‘m’ with a cutlass on his forehead and back which resulted in his death.”

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

With the defendant’s plea not taken, the prosecutor prayed the court to remand the defendant to any correctional facility in the state pending advice from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP.

The Magistrate, Omotosho, granted the request, citing probable cause for remand of the defendant in the correctional centre, and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the case file for the DPP.

The case has been adjourned till May 30, 2025, for mention.