A 35-year-old commercial motorcyclist, James Sunday, has been arrested by police operatives in Ondo State for allegedly strangulating his wife’s friend to death.
The suspect was said to have used a rope to kill the 42-year-old deceased woman, identified as Justinah, after months of being at loggerheads over the diversion of cow meat worth N250,000 by James.
According to sources, the incident happened on March 13, 2024, at No. 47, Ijoka Road, Akure, following a series of alleged threats by the suspect at any time the deceased demanded a refund of her money.
Following the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect was arraigned before an Akure Chief Magistrate Court on a one-count charge of murder.
Police Prosecutor Taiwo Oniyere informed the court that the defendant unlawfully killed Justinah Sunday ‘F’, aged 42, by strangling her neck with a rope, which led to her death.
Oniyere told the court that the crime contravenes Sections 316 and 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The police prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant to the Olokuta Correctional Centre, pending advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP.
The defendant, who denied the allegation, told the court that he had known the deceased for over 9 to 10 years in Ile-Oluji town. He said he met his wife through her, claiming that he had not come in contact with her since they all separated and moved to Ondo.
The defence counsel, Falana, prayed for a date to enable him to file a reply to the remand application.
With the defendant’s plea not being taken, Chief Magistrate T. O. Olusola-Olujobi ordered the remand of the defendant in police custody and adjourned the case till April 18, 2024, for a ruling.
