Police await forensic result, say Maersk chief responding to treatment

The police in Lagos State say they are relying on forensic science to perfect their investigations into the killing of the wife of the Managing Director of Maersk Nigeria, a multinational shipping firm, Gildas Tohouo.

The incident took place at their residence at Lugard Avenue, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos where the mother of three was stabbed and suffocated to death. Her husband also suffered life-threatening injuries from the attack but is now recuperating at a hospital. The suspects were an in-house electrician and his friend who had both claimed to be in building to rectify an electrical fault.

A police source disclosed to The Guardian yesterday that forensic experts were at the house to sweep the crime scene for evidence to be used to prosecute the arrested two suspects, who have already been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba for intense interrogation.

The police source further added that the suspects freely confessed to committing the crime on Sunday night while the motivation for the assault is yet to be disclosed. It was further gathered that a police team who were at the hospital where Mr. Tohouo is being treated confirmed that he is responding to treatment.

Meanwhile, details have emerged on the charitable nature of Mrs. Bernadette Tohouo, the Hungarian wife of the Managing Director of Maersk Nigeria Limited, who was killed on Sunday night. Inquiries revealed that the late Mrs. Tohouo was a rare gem, who admired children, loved God, and dedicated her life to the service of humanity.
 
Reacting to the story of the December 8 murder of Mrs. Tohouo by domestic staff, a sympathizer, Damola Adejuwon, wrote: “Oh no, there are monsters in this world. May Bernadette’s soul rest in peace and may the three young children and her husband she left behind be comforted by our heavenly father. Her role as APEEF vice president at Lycee Francais Louis Pasteur will always be appreciated.”
 
Mrs. Tohouo was the Vice-President, Association Petite Enfance, Enfance et Famille (APEEF). It is a parents association and a registered charity where she made laudable contributions. On the social scene, Tohouo was recently elected as the Playpen Member of the Sailing and House Committee at the Lagos Yacht Club led by a Commodore. 

At about 11:30 p.m. the suspected killers knocked at the victims’ door and offer to assist them in fixing the electrical fault. The couple reportedly accepted the offer and allowed them in.
 
Elkana’s statement reads in part: “When the door was opened, they attacked them and stabbed the man and his wife. The man survived, but the wife died due to the injuries she sustained from the attack. The suspects wanted to rob the couple.
 
“Two suspects; Ade Akanbi and Olamide Adegoke – have been arrested and the knives used in perpetrating the crime have been recovered. The Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has visited the scene, while homicide detectives have also cordoned off the area. Investigation is ongoing.”