Man remanded for beating neighbour’s wife to death

A 35-year-old man, Mukaila Sumonu, has been remanded in Ikoyi Prisons for allegedly beating to death his neighbour’s wife, one Fausat Ajibola, 42.

Sumonu was arraigned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court on a single count of murder on Tuesday.

PUNCH Metro had reported on Tuesday how the mother of three was alleged to have been beaten to death by the defendant using a two-by-four plank.

Our correspondent had reported that the accused and deceased, who lived in Araromi village in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, had a minor disagreement over a mango tree, which led to a fight.

The defendant was said to have hit the deceased with a plank several times, inflicting injuries which led to her death the next day. Sumonu was subsequently arrested for the offence of murder.

The charge read, “That you, Mukaila Sumonu, on August 1, 2013, at about 2pm, at Araromi Village, Ikorodu, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully kill one Fausat Ajibola, aged 42 years, by beating her with two-by-four plank and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.”

The defendant’s plea was not taken.

The police told the court that Sumonu made confessional statement at the station and was also identified by witnesses, who would give evidence in court.

The prosecutor, ASP Etim Ekankuk, applied that he be remanded in accordance with Section 264 of the Administration of Criminal Justice of Lagos State, Nigeria.

The chief magistrate, Mrs. Demi Ajayi, ruled that Sumonu be remanded pending the legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

She also urged the police to duplicate the case file so the advice could be ready on time.

The matter was adjourned till November 25 for the DPP’s advice.