Court Remands Man For Allegedly Killing 65-yr-old Stepmother

An Akure Senior Magistrates' Court on Tuesday ordered that a 33-year-old businessman, Samson Awonire, be remanded in prison for allegedly killing his stepmother.

The accused person was said to have killed his 65-year-old stepmother, Mrs Esther Awonire, after an argument.

Awonire, who was arraigned before Magistrate Charity Adeyanju, allegedly committed the offence on Feb. 25, at about 4 p.m. at No 150, Olorunsola Street, Ondo in Akure Magisterial District.

The police prosecutor, Mr Ayodeji Atandeyi, said the offence was contrary to section 316 and punishable under section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. I laws of Ondo State 2006.

The plea of the accused was not taken as the offence was outside the jurisdiction of the court.

The prosecutor urged the court to remand the accused in prison, while the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) would send copies of the case file to the Director of? Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

Counsel to the accused person Anthony Adeyemi told the court that although it had no jurisdiction, the court had the power to look into the case file.

He urged the court to look at the case file to ascertain whether a prima facie case was established against the accused.

Magistrate Adeyanju in her ruling, ordered that the accused be remanded at Olokuta Prison, while police should send the duplicate copies of the case file to the DPP for legal advice.

She then adjourned the matter till April 11, for report on the legal advice. (NAN)